The UK Gambling Commission awarded the National Lottery operating licence to Allwyn, reportedly, after Camelot ended its legal challenge to the award process. The licence is due to transfer in February 2024 and will run for 10 years; Allwyn pledged £38bn in charitable and social contributions over that period, according to the report.
The award sets the incoming National Lottery operator’s licence terms and transition timetable.
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Bedfordshire and Luton senior coroner Emma Whitting has called for the National Lottery to be included in GAMSTOP after an inquest into Stephen Goff’s death. The UK Gambling Commission said it would consider changes and was discussing further consumer protections with Allwyn and GAMSTOP.
A coroner wants the National Lottery in the United Kingdom placed on the list of services that gambling opt-outs exclude people from. The UKGC, speaking through a spokesperson, indicated it may weigh further changes, possibly including a wider reach for Gamstop.
Sarah Gardner, the Gambling Commission’s interim chief executive, praised Allwyn’s player-protection measures at a company conference in the UK. She said the National Lottery raised £1.7bn for good causes in the past year and described Allwyn’s new online safeguards as positive, while noting early implementation difficulties.
Allwyn launched Powerball in the UK. The addition forms part of its National Lottery expansion strategy, which aims to double weekly contributions to good causes by 2034.
The High Court ruled for the Gambling Commission in Northern & Shell and The New Lottery Company’s claim over the UK National Lottery licence award. The companies had sought up to £1.3bn, alleging flaws in the competition and later licence changes; the court rejected all claims and found the competition had reached a lawful outcome.
The Gambling Commission has awarded NatCen and the University of Glasgow a four-year contract to deliver the Gambling Survey for Great Britain until 2030. The next phase will continue survey development and explore longitudinal research and links with other data, the regulator said.