The delays in awarding a 10 year-license to run the National Lottery will prove a bonanza for current operator, Camelot. Camelot stands to receive a £42 million (US$58.2 million) windfall, even as the company comes under investigation over the profit it makes.
The delay means the new licensee will take over six months later than planned on February 1, 2024.
MPs from the digital, culture, media and sport select committee said the amount of money going to charities has not grown at the same rate as Camelot’s profits, according to The Guardian.
National Lottery sales hit a record £8.37 billion through the end of March.
Camelot says its profits amount to about 1 percent of revenue from weekly draws, online instant-win games and scratchcards, which would translate into another £42 million in extra profit.
All the bidders expressed a desire to delay the process because of a higher-than-expected degree of complexity in the back-and-forth process by which they submit proposals to the Gambling Commission, which then offers feedback.
At least one bidder asked for a delay because it was affected by Covid-related international travel restrictions.
