The U.K. Court of Appeal has ruled that Camelot Group and International Game Technology (IGT) may appeal the U.K. Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) decision in March to award the National Lottery license to Allwyn Entertainment.
Camelot has held the license for 28 years, and was the National Lottery’s first operator, beginning in 1994. In April, Camelot took the UKGC to the High Court, alleging that the commission unlawfully awarded the license to Allwyn. Later IGT, which is partnered with Camelot, also filed a challenge. As a result, the issuance of the license was suspended.
In June, the High Court lifted the suspension but allowed the legal challenge to proceed. The latest action comes as the Court of Appeal granted permission to appeal—which once again imposes an automatic suspension on the issuance of the license. A hearing on the appeal is expected to happen on September 12.
The UKGC said in a statement, “Throughout the litigation process, we have been clear that disrupting the implementation of Allwyn’s plans would present potentially severe consequences for the National Lottery and good causes.” It added, “It also risks the National Lottery not operating to its full potential at the start of the fourth license.”
The selection process that resulted in the selection of Allwyn also included Health Lottery operator Northern and Shell –Sisal, an Italian company, and Camelot.
The Commission said the appeal would delay the awarding of a license and added, “We regret the decision by third parties to bring legal proceedings following the outcome of a highly successful competition for the fourth National Lottery license, actions which could impact transition to the Fourth License and, ultimately, funding for good causes.”
Allwyn Chairman Justin King has called on Camelot and IGT to promise to give some of their damages, if they are awarded, to charities. He said, “As the court ruled, Camelot and IGT must now provide an undertaking for damages by 4pm Friday. We call on them to either ensure that undertaking includes good causes, or instead in the interests of the good causes and the National Lottery, to gracefully accept the ruling of Mrs. Justice O’Farrell.”
