The UK Gambling Commission has announced that it has formally awarded the fourth National Lottery License to Allwyn Entertainment.
Earlier this year, the Court of Appeal granted both incumbent operator Camelot and new applicant IGT permission to appeal the Commission’s decision to award the fourth National Lottery license to Allwyn. This led to an automatic suspension of the pending license.
However, both Camelot and IGT have since withdrawn their appeals allowing the Commission to move forward with the formal awarding of the license.
In a statement on its website, the Commission said:
Our priority is to ensure a seamless and timely transition to the next licence, for the benefit of participants and good causes. We have begun meetings between the Commission, Allwyn and Camelot as the outgoing licensee, who we are confident will honour their obligations as the current licensee to cooperate in that transition. The Enabling Agreement will assist both parties in transitioning between licences and provide the framework for implementation.
The announcement also notes that there are some key changes to the license:
- New incentive mechanism that ensures more profits go to good causes
- Licensees to have more responsibility to fulfill obligations
- More flexibility for licensees to embrace technological changes and meet consumer demands
- Fixed 10-year license
Andrew Rhodes, Commission Chief Executive Officer, said:
“We are pleased to have officially awarded the fourth licence to Allwyn following a highly successful competition and the court’s decision to lift the suspension on the award process. We now look forward to working with all parties to ensure a smooth and efficient handover.
“I am confident that Allwyn and the key changes for the fourth licence will maximise returns to good causes, promote innovation, deliver against our statutory duties, and ultimately protect the unique status of the National Lottery.”
Based in London, Natasha is a former sports journalist with experience working for some of the biggest athletes & brands in the world of sports and iGaming.