Camelots technology partner, IGT, has returned to court regarding the National Lottery’s choice to grant the upcoming permit to Allwyn. This rekindles the legal dispute for dominance over the UK’s largest lottery, despite widespread belief that matters had calmed down after Allwyn’s acquisition of Camelot in 2022.
IGT alleges that the Gambling Commission’s determination to proceed with Allwyn, a Czech firm, has tarnished IGT’s standing and resulted in lost business opportunities. Their lawsuit invokes the European Convention on Human Rights, which might appear unconventional, but underscores the significant interests at play.
It’s worth noting that IGT manages those ubiquitous lottery terminals found in newsstands, grocery stores, and gas stations. They constitute a substantial element of the National Lottery’s operations. Should IGT prevail in this legal action, they could receive up to £600 million (equivalent to $717 million!) in compensation. And guess who bears the financial burden? The National Lottery’s charitable fund.
This entire ordeal commenced when Camelot and IGT initially contested the court’s ruling to revoke the license, originally slated to commence in February 2024. Camelot even hinted at a separate lawsuit for damages if their appeal proved unsuccessful. They withdrew after Allwyn’s acquisition, but it appears IGT isn’t relinquishing their claim so readily.
It’s a complicated predicament, and the court’s interpretation of this human rights perspective will be intriguing to observe. Meanwhile, the National Lottery, which has amassed over £46 billion for charitable endeavors since 1994, finds itself caught in the middle.
Significant developments within the lottery sector during 2022 centered around the contest between Allwyn and Camelot for the operation of the UK’s National Lottery. This protracted struggle, spanning several months, is extensively covered in GI Friday’s 2022 Gaming Industry Review, which dedicates an entire segment to dissecting the events.