Preliminary hearing held

A preliminary hearing has recently been held and there are fears that the dispute could hit the good causes that are funded by the National Lottery. Camelot are being represented in court by Lord Pannick QC and he has asked the judge to consider “the risk of damage to the public interest.”

He told the judge how the Gambling Commission decision sees them taking a gamble on giving the next licence to Allwyn Entertainment. The view that Camelot has is the decision is “badly wrong” and should not go ahead.

Camelot have already claimed that up to £1 billion could be lost from the central fund for good causes. Their fear is the National Lottery will be run for a decade by “an operator who was unlawfully appointed.”

An enabling agreement is being used to help the new licence holders take over the National Lottery in two years time. Allwyn are backed by the Czech billionaire Karel Komarek. There have been claims of links with Russia as discontent over Allwyn taking over running the National Lottery.

Gambling Commission happy with decision

In the 28 years of the National Lottery, it has always been Camelot who have run it. The Gambling Commission say they regret the legal proceedings that are taking place. They say that their decision was “carried out fairly and lawfully in accordance with our statutory duties and we are confident that a court would come to that conclusion.'

Allwyn say that they are “complying fully” with the Gambling Commission “on all aspects of the process.” There are fears though that if the legal dispute was still ongoing when Allwyn are due to take over the licence, the National Lottery could be suspended.

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