Allwyn is poised to become the UK National Lottery’s new steward. Their tenure as the designated manager begins in February 2024, marking the start of a ten-year term.
The journey to this point encountered some obstacles. Camelot, the incumbent operator, was reluctant to relinquish its position. They, alongside their technological collaborator IGT, initiated legal actions against Allwyn when the decision was initially revealed, aiming to retain their dominion over the UK lottery.
Nevertheless, Camelot and IGT have recently withdrawn their legal objections, paving the way for Allwyn’s ascension. It’s important to note that despite conceding the license, they are pursuing substantial compensation exceeding £600 million (equivalent to $685 million!) from the Gambling Commission.
Understandably, Allwyn is elated. Justin King, the chairman, conveyed his enthusiasm for ushering in a fresh chapter for the National Lottery. He highlighted their dedication to generating increased funds for charitable endeavors nationwide, elevating the player experience through cutting-edge technology, and promoting responsible engagement.
Echoing this sentiment, David Craven, Allwyn’s CEO, affirmed that this juncture signifies a transformative epoch for the National Lottery.
An exciting new era is commencing! We’ve initiated a bold restructuring strategy at our Watford central office for the National Lottery.
To fully capitalize on this prospect, we must foster a dynamic atmosphere where creativity prospers. Our primary objective during this shift is to ethically optimize output and elevate the already substantial donations we provide to charitable endeavors. We’re eager to have our committed Camelot team members in Watford embark on this venture with us.
Andrew Rhodes, Director General of the Gaming Commission, expressed his zeal: ‘After a highly competitive process and the court’s ruling to remove the hold on the awarding procedure, we’re pleased to officially grant the fourth National Lottery permit to Allwyn. We anticipate cooperating with all groups to guarantee a seamless and efficient transition.”
