Camelot to Appeal National Lottery License Decision
The UK’s Court of Appeal has given Camelot Group and International Game Technology (IGT) (NYSE: IGT) permission to appeal the decision to award Allwyn Entertainment with the nation’s fourth National Lottery license.
In March, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) awarded the license to Allwyn, ending Camelot’s 28-year run as the lottery operator. Camelot was named the reserve applicant, meaning that it would continue to operate the lottery if the (UKGC) failed to reach a deal with Allwyn.
Camelot began challenging the decision in the High Court in April, which caused the formal issuing of the license to Allwyn to be suspended. However, the High Court lifted this suspension in June despite the continuing legal challenge.
Now that the Court of Appeal has granted permission for an appeal, the suspension is back in place until the outcome of the appeal proceedings. It is expected that the appeal hearing will take place during the week of 12 September.
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. It also risks the National Lottery not operating to its full potential at the start of the fourth license. We are, obviously, disappointed with this outcome but respect the court’s decision. The appeal process will generate challenges for the transition to the fourth license and further delay the award of the license to Allwyn.
We regret the decision by third parties to bring legal proceedings following the outcome of highly successful competition for the fourth National Lottery license, actions which could impact the transition to the Fourth Licence, and ultimately, funding for good causes. Nevertheless, it remains our priority to ensure a seamless transition between the third and fourth National Lottery licenses so that players can continue to enjoy playing the National Lottery fairly, safely and claim their prizes and so that the National Lottery continues to deliver for good causes in every corner of the UK.
Justin King, Allwyn’s UK Chairman, expressed disappointment with the decision and added, “It is common ground that this delay will damage the introduction of the benefits the Fourth Licence brings for Good Causes.”
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