The U.K. Gambling Commission named Allwyn Entertainment Ltd (“Allwyn”) as Preferred Applicant for the fourth National Lottery license on March 15.
The U.K. National Lottery is one of the world’s largest lotteries and the current – third – license is due to expire in 2024. Since launching in 1994, National Lottery players have collectively raised more than £45 billion for 660,000 good causes across the UK, transforming lives and contributing to the arts, sport, heritage and communities.
The selection of Allwyn as Preferred Applicant follows a fair, open and robust competition which received four applications at the final stage. This is the highest number of applications since the first National Lottery license was awarded in 1994.
Alongside Allwyn, the other applicants were Sisal Spa, Camelot UK Lotteries Ltd, and The New Lottery Company Ltd. Camelot UK Lotteries Ltd has been named Reserve Applicant.
Allwyn has committed to investment in the National Lottery that is expected to deliver growth and innovation across the National Lottery’s products and channels, resulting in increased contributions to good causes, subject to the protection of participants and propriety.
The Gambling Commission is content that all applicants are fit and proper to operate the National Lottery. Recognizing our role as a responsible regulator we are also satisfied that no application is impacted by sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine.
The legal standstill period lasted at least 10 days and then is followed by a 22-month transition towards the fourth license.
Andrew Rhodes, Gambling Commission Chief Executive Officer, said: “In its lifetime, the National Lottery has raised more than £45 billion for good causes and is rightly seen as a great national asset.
“Our priority was to run a competition that would attract a strong field of candidates. Having received the most applications since 1994, it is clear that we’ve achieved just that.
“I am confident that the success of the competition will lead to a highly successful fourth license – one that maximizes returns to good causes, promotes innovation, delivers against our statutory duties, and which ultimately protects the unique status of the National Lottery.
“We look forward to working with all parties to ensure a smooth handover.”
John Tanner, Gambling Commission Executive Director and Senior Responsible Owner for the competition, said: “The Commission is grateful to all four applicants for their engagement in the competition. We were impressed by the overall standard of applications, including the range and quality of innovation proposed, and the high level of confidence and ambition demonstrated for the prospects of the National Lottery under the fourth license.”
About the National Lottery
Since launching in 1994, National Lottery players have collectively raised more than £45 billion for 660,000 good causes across the UK, transforming lives and contributing to the arts, sport, heritage and communities. There have been more than 6,300 new millionaires created and National Lottery players raise more than £30 million every week for good causes.
For more information, please visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
Competition timetable
competition launched – August 2020
Invitation to Apply issued – October 2020
final application deadline – October 2021
outcome notification – March 2022
award notification – March 2022
start of fourth license – February 2024