The legal dispute between Camelot and Allwyn has concluded, clearing the path for Allwyn to assume control of the UK National Lottery.
This marks the end of a turbulent period that commenced in March when the Gambling Commission first granted the profitable license to Allwyn. Camelot, the longstanding operator, responded poorly to the announcement, initiating a swift legal challenge against both Allwyn and the Gambling Commission. This placed the UK government in a delicate situation, potentially facing a payout of £600 million (or $693 million) if Camelot were to prevail.
However, Allwyn recently disclosed that Camelot has discontinued its legal proceedings. As a sign of good faith, Allwyn has also withdrawn its counterclaim, guaranteeing that Camelot will not incur any legal expenses.
This allows Allwyn to commence the handover process, succeeding Camelot, which has been synonymous with the National Lottery since its inception in 1994.
This is not the first instance of legal controversy surrounding the lottery. In 2012, Camelot encountered a comparable situation when Virgin Group was initially selected to operate the lottery for its third license term. However, Camelot’s legal challenge at the time resulted in Virgin Group’s withdrawal, and Camelot ultimately retained its position.
This time, however, it appears the transfer of power is inevitable. The new license, projected to be valued at a substantial £6.4 billion over the next ten years, will see Allwyn ushering in a fresh chapter for the UK National Lottery.
Allwyn remained steadfast, compelling Camelot to ultimately withdraw their legal action. They understood that Allwyn would not yield as readily as Virgin had.
To delve into the complete narrative and grasp the complexities of this matter, consult the comprehensive account featured in the May edition of *Casino Insider*.