Czech-based Allwyn, already Europe’s largest lottery group, might be getting even bigger. The company has been reportedly in talks and is exploring buying a majority stake in the Irish national lottery.
The group was talking to UBS bankers responsible for the sale, as well as the Irish lottery’s management in March, according to the Financial Times.
The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) has approximately 80 percent ownership of the Irish lottery. It announced in February that it was putting the lottery up for sale.
This comes as the entity exited the U.K. market. Allwyn was quick to snap that up.
Allwyn is not alone in its interest in the Irish lottery. There are reportedly several companies interested in making a bid. Some that have been rumored to be in the mix are Australian operator the Lottery Corporation and semi-publicly owned French operator, Française des Jeux (FDJ). International Game Technology (IGT) and Scientific Games are also reported to be considering bidding for OTPP’s majority stake.
Allwyn had revenues of nearly $3.5 billion in 2022. That was a 24 percent increase from 2021. Its operations also include lotteries in the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Cyprus and Austria.
The sale process is expected to conclude by summer. Any deal would have to be approved by the Irish lottery regulator.
While they wait for the sale of the Irish lottery, they have set up a plan to improve the U.K. National Lottery’s technology. Allwyn has partnered with Vodafone—the press release announcing the deal said the infrastructure will have “a mobile-first approach, easier to deploy and more manageable.”
Vodafone will also provide IoT connectivity and broadband to all retail sites, as well as hosting the lottery in its U.K. data centers.
Nick Gliddon, Vodafone’s UK business director, said in the release that they are excited for the changes.
“We understand the role that digital technology can play in transforming a business and improving customer experience,” Gliddon said. “Since the lottery began, local shops have used pen and paper at lottery kiosks and, despite the significant technological shifts, not much has changed.”
“This partnership is a significant digital step forward that will help high street retailers keep up with changing consumer patterns, engaging new audiences and supporting Allwyn with reinvigorating the U.K. National Lottery so that it can continue to raise funds for good causes.”
Robert Chvatal, Interim CEO, Allwyn UK, said: “What we have now, with Vodafone, is a clearly defined scope and plan that will lead to numerous improvements on the current technology offer.”
