Gambling Commission announces new National Lottery tender process
Lottoland confirms it is in discussions over a possible consortium bid
The Gambling Commission has today issued a request to tender to lottery operators to take over operation of the UK’s national lottery when the current licence expires in 2023.
The UKGC has confirmed that it will begin initial discussions with operators next week at the World Lottery Summit, taking place next week in Buenos Aires.
It said it is looking for the best ideas and innovations to “create a National Lottery that is fit for the future”.
Speaking about the tender, Neil McArthur, CEO of the UKGC, said there was “significant untapped potential for growth” in the current lottery format, which is the 6th largest lottery in the world.
McArthur added: “In a world where 24-hour communication and technology continues to change at an increasingly fast pace, innovation and creativity will play a key part in making sure the National Lottery remains relevant in the future and are keen to hear from the widest range of businesses and interested parties from across the globe.”
As part of its preparation for the tender launch, the UKGC has established a specialist team to manage the competition process and engage with potential bidders, along with setting up an Expert Advisory Group to help shape the design of the competition for the future of the National Lottery.
Lottery providers that could enter discussions with the UKGC include Lottoland, Scientific Games and operators of the Health Lottery, Northern and Shell Group.
Lottoland CEO Nigel Birrell said the business “is currently involved in numerous conversations with potential partners” and could look to launch a bid for the lottery licence in the future. Birrell added: “Lottoland has market leading expertise in online, digital, mobile, lotto and gaming that would bring significant value to a consortium.”
The operator could partner with a more traditional lottery provider for any bid.
Since its inception in 1994, the National Lottery has raised over £38bn for good causes, but in recent years lottery operator Camelot has been questioned over diminishing returns to good causes.
A spokesperson for Camelot refused to be drawn on whether it would submit a tender to continue to run the National Lottery, saying that its “immediate focus” is on continuing to grow National Lottery sales and “delivering even more for our players and the millions of people for whom National Lottery funding is so crucial over the next five years.”