The UK Gambling Commission has named Allwyn as its preferred applicant for the lottery licence, ending Camelot’s 28-year tenure as the operator. However, Camelot was named reserve applicant and would continue if a deal with Allwyn is not finalized.
Camelot launched a High Court challenge against the decision in April, resulting in the suspension of Allwyn’s lottery licence. The High Court lifted the suspension in June, but legal challenges from Camelot and IGT have led to the Court of Appeal granting permission to appeal.
The appeal hearing is expected to take place in September, causing further delays in the transition to the fourth National Lottery licence and potentially impacting funding for good causes.
Allwyn’s selection followed a competitive tender process involving The New Lottery Company, Sisal, and Camelot.
Allwyn chairman Justin King has requested Camelot and IGT to include good causes in their undertaking for damages if Allwyn wins the case and the injunction is deemed improper.
Camelot has not commented on whether it will provide the undertaking for damages.
