Closing EuroMillions betting loophole “not in public interest”, Lottoland says
Operator calls on UK government to open two-year review to ensure any decision is “evidence-based”
Lottoland has warned the UK government against making any knee-jerk regulatory or legislative changes following its consultation into whether betting on EuroMillions draws should be allowed to continue.
In March, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said it would look at whether it should close a loophole which enables operators such as Lottoland to take bets on the outcome of the EuroMillions draws.
According to the DCMS, the offer of bets on the lottery meant ticket sales could “continue to be hit” and “draw money away from good causes in the UK that benefit as a result”.
However, Lottoland yesterday said it had submitted evidence which proved its entry into the UK market has had no material impact on EuroMillions sales and it was, instead, the actions taken by EuroMillions operator Camelot which had produced a drop-off in performance.
“The company strongly believes that to make a decision at this stage is not in the public interest and would not represent a proportionate public policy response considering there is no evidence-based rationale for intervention,” a Lottoland press release read.
The operator also called on the DCMS to open a review period of two years, during which time it could monitor data and come to an evidence-based conclusion.
“Lottoland wholeheartedly supports evidence-based policy making,” Nigel Birrell, Lottoland CEO, said. “But the government themselves accepts there is no evidence that betting on lotteries impacts lottery revenues and returns to good causes in the UK.
“In fact, the evidence and analysis we’ve submitted proves we do not take customers away from Camelot. In truth, it is their own decisions that are having a significant and often negative impact.
“We are keen to work constructively with government and want to help them build the evidence they need to make a full and proper assessment of non-UK EuroMillions betting,” he added.
The firm also said its evidence showed there was no confusion on the part of customers to distinguish between lottery betting and the purchase of a lottery ticket.