Gambling Commission accused of “actively” interfering in UK National Lottery inquiry
DCMS committee chair slams “unelected quango” claiming UK regulator attempted to delay oversight into its role as lotteries regulator until after the fourth lottery licence contest
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee chairman Julian Knight MP has accused the Gambling Commission (UKGC) of trying to delay a parliamentary inquiry into its role as National Lottery regulator.
Reports in the Financial Times claim UKGC CEO Andrew Rhodes sent a letter to the MP warning him of a potential risk to the integrity of the fourth National Lottery licence contest which is currently entering its final stages.
“It would pose significant risk to the integrity of the competition if the Gambling Commission, any of the applicants or anyone directly involved in the competition in any way, were to provide evidence to the inquiry at this sensitive stage of the competition,” Rhodes wrote, in extracts published by the FT.
“For these reasons, I believe that the public interest would be best served by contributing to your inquiry at a later stage and my colleagues and I will, of course, be very happy to give detailed evidence to the committee once the competition has concluded,” the letter adds.
In a tweet, Knight took aim at the UKGC for its approach, suggesting both he and, at a wider level, the DCMS would take an “extremely dim” view of the UKGC if the regulator’s “active” attempts to delay the inquiry continued.
Labelling it an “unelected quango”, Knight continued: “I trust that there will be a rapid change of approach on behalf of the Gambling Commission.
“This sets a dangerous precedent for democracy,” he added.
I and @CommonsDCMS take an extremely dim view of any unelected quango actively looking to frustrate our inquiries. I trust that there will be a rapid change of approach on behalf of the Gambling Commission. This sets a dangerous precedent for democracy. https://t.co/0wCcH1ql7A
— Julian Knight (@julianknight15) August 19, 2021
DCMS launched the inquiry to examine the tender process that decides the next licence holder of the UK National Lottery competition in July.
As part of the parliamentary scrutiny, representatives from the DCMS committee will scrutinise the preferred applicant as well as the selection process involved and the role of the UKGC in the selection process.
Key pillars of the inquiry focus on four areas including the effectiveness of the competition when compared to the UKGC’s initial objectives, as well as looking at how the competition can ensure a smooth transition between Camelot and the next licensee.
In addition, the committee will examine the effect of good causes changes made as part of the fourth licence competition and the potential outcome for the wider UK lottery market.
The Gambling Commission will look to announce its preferred candidate to take over the running of the National Lottery from Camelot in September.
Operators vying to take over the licence include Sisal, Sazka Group, Northern & Shell as well as current licensee Camelot, the latter of which has held the licence since 1994.
Responding to a request for comment by EGR, the Gambling Commission defended its position, but said it respected the need for scrutiny and would support the inquiry “as fully as possible”.
“Our priority is to run a fair and open competition, in which applicants compete on a level playing field,” a spokesperson for the UKGC told EGR.
“As part of this, all parties directly involved in the competition have committed to adhere to strict confidentiality protocols that seek to protect the integrity and fairness of the process and maintain competition.
“We recognise and respect the powers of Parliamentary select committees to summon witnesses to give evidence. It is for applicants to determine how they respond to any request to provide evidence to or appear before the Select Committee, bearing in mind the obligations they are under in the competition.
“We continue to engage with the Committee on this important matter,” the UKGC added.