Gambling Commission finalises four bidders for UK National Lottery licence
Regulator to assess highest number of final applicants since the first National Lottery licence was awarded to Camelot in 1994
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has closed on four final bidders for the fourth National Lottery licence competition.
Notably, Sazka Group and Sisal are expected to rival incumbent Camelot for the fourth National Lottery licence, with the contract expected to commence in early 2024.
The UKGC will officially announce the preferred applicant in February 2022.
The bidding for the fourth licence was launched in August 2020 and now moves into the final stage.
“We are delighted by the final number of applications we have received, which is unprecedented since the start of the National Lottery,” said John Tanner, executive director of 4NLC (Fourth National Lottery Competition).
“The Commission will now evaluate these applications in a clear and robust process. Our job is to run the best competition we possibly can – one that is open and fair and results in the best outcome for players and good causes.”
This is the highest number of final applications received since the first licence was awarded in 1994.
Now the evaluation process can begin, including a presentation by each applicant to the UKGC facilitated by its lead adviser Rothschild & Co.
International applicants have left no stone unturned in assembling a competitive bid. Italian giant Sisal this week announced a new six-member advisory board led by Baroness Karren Brady that will assist its application.
Meanwhile, Czech-facing Sazka Group has been putting a top team together for more than a year led by Sir Keith Mills. In July, the firm appointed former MD of The Tote, David Craven, as the new CEO of its UK-facing Allwyn subsidiary.
Camelot holds the trump card of experience having run the UK’s National Lottery since it launched in 1994, but is facing tough competition this time round.