Camelot Win Latest Round In Court Battle For UK Lottery

The battle for the UK lottery took a turn in favour of current operator Camelot and its provider of services IGT when the court ruled that the previous decision to allow the UK Gambling Commission and incoming operator Allwyn to work on the “enabling agreement” to ensure smooth transfer of operations for the lottery.

With this latest decision it could mean that the transfer in 2024 to Allwyn could impact on services and the lottery may not operate fully.

Both Camelot and IGT have joined forces in a multi-million pound lawsuit again the decision by the UK Gambling Commission to award the lottery license to Allwyn.

On this latest decision the Commission responded by saying, “Throughout the litigation process, we have been clear that disrupting the implementation of Allwyn’s plans would present potentially severe consequences for the National Lottery and good causes,” – the Commission responded.

“It also risks the National Lottery not operating to its full potential at the start of the fourth licence.”

Camelot and IGT and seeking in their lawsuit £600 million in damages from the Commission in their decision to award Allwyn the license, unfairly as both operator and supplier believe.

The latest ruling means that the latest hearings will take place on the 12^th September and in response to the decision incoming operator Allwyn and their Chairman Justin King said, “We are obviously disappointed by today’s decision. It creates the likelihood of further delay as the appeal will not be held until September. It is common ground that this delay will damage the introduction of the benefits the Fourth Licence brings for Good Causes.

“As the Court ruled, Camelot and IGT must now provide an undertaking for damages by 4 pm Friday. We call on them to either ensure that undertaking includes Good Causes, or instead in the interests of the Good Causes and the National Lottery, to gracefully accept the ruling of Mrs Justice O’Farrell.

“This would allow the suspension to be lifted and the Gambling Commission to move forward with Awarding the Fourth Licence to Allwyn.”

With the license comes the income of billions over the period the license exists and Camelot and IGT will not give up the battle to the very last.