Four Applicants Chasing National Lottery Licence

Four applicants will be battling it out to win the next National Lottery licence. Just who will be the applicant chosen to receive the licence will be determined by the UK Gambling Commission.
The current holders of the National Lottery licence are Camelot. They have been the only company to run the National Lottery since it began. Three licenses have so far been granted to them and they will hope to again be chosen.

Process delayed

It’s been a long process so far and began in August of 2020. The plan was for a decision to be made this year with the winner being announced in September 2021. This has not been possible though with problems caused by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The Gambling Commission decided to extend the second phase of the process by four weeks. Then there was a further six weeks delay that would allow them to evaluate all the bids that have been received. The delay means Camelot will have six extra months running the National Lottery and will be in charge until February 2024. Will they be in charge after that date though?

Final decision next year

Now the vital evaluation process is being undertaken by the Gambling Commission This will include each of the candidates making a presentation. Then in early 2022, the final decision will be made by the Commission.
John Tanner is the Fourth National Lottery Licence Competition executive director. He said that they are “delighted by the final number of applications we have received.” They will now evaluate the applications “in a clear and robust process.” This will have the aim of achieving a result that is the “best outcome for players and good causes.”

Expected candidates

The Commission have not actually disclosed the identity of the applicants for the fourth National Lottery licence. We do know however that Sisal, who run SuperEnalotto in Italy, lottery and gaming giants Sazka and India’s largest lottery operator Sugal & Damani have applied. Camelot are fully expected to be the other applicant.

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