The Gambling Commission has reportedly warned that delays in the transfer process could disrupt the lottery and deprive players and good causes of millions of pounds.
Czech operator Allwyn was named the preferred candidate for the fourth license in March, which would allow it to run the game from 2024.
But preparations to transfer the license were stalled following a legal challenge from Camelot, the current lottery operator since 1994.
The Gambling Commission is seeking to overturn the suspension.
In evidence in the High Court, seen by The Telegraph, Commission executive director John Tanner reportedly said she and Allwyn would ‘suffer significant harm by being unable to take significant steps towards the start of the fourth license while they are prevented from entering into an “enabling agreement”.
He continued: “It will almost certainly mean that, at a minimum, the National Lottery will not operate to its full potential at the start of the fourth license term.”
“Furthermore, there is a real risk in these circumstances that there will be, after the end of the third licence, a period when the National Lottery does not operate at all.”
The delays could also mean players cannot claim their winnings and good causes are starved of vital money, it has been said.
The National Lottery has raised over £45billion for 660,000 good causes since its launch nearly three decades ago.
These include charities and projects contributing to the arts, sport, heritage and communities.
Mr Tanner added: ‘There would be no contributions to good causes during any period when the National Lottery was not operating.’
“The interests of participants would be adversely affected to the extent that winners of National Lottery games under the Third License [held by Camelot] may not be able, after the expiration of this license, to claim prizes.
In its court submission, Camelot warned that transferring the lottery license to Allqyn “would effectively put [Camelot] bankrupt “.
A spokesperson for Camelot told the Telegraph: “We have made it clear in our submissions to the Court that we believe there is no threat of suspension of the National Lottery in the period between the third and fourth licences. “
“Camelot has offered a number of possible solutions to the Court – including an interim license which has already been used in similar circumstances – which eliminates any such risk.”
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Source: www.express.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-05-29 23:01:00
