The DCMS Committee has launched an inquiry to examine the
competition process to award the next licence for the operation
of the National Lottery. The Gambling Commission is running the
competition, with a preferred candidate expected to be announced
in September.
MPs will scrutinise the preferred applicant as well as the
process that was involved.
Following criticism that returns for good causes had not
increased at the same rate as the profits of the current
operator, Camelot, changes will be made to the operation of the
licence to require that contributions to these causes will rise
in a similar proportion to profits.
DCMS Committee Chair said:
“The National Lottery has raised £43 billion for good
causes since its launch in 1994. We want to make sure its future
is in good hands.
“Our concern is not only with the operation of the
competition to find the next operator, but also with the Gambling
Commission that is overseeing the process.
“Crucially we’ll be asking what measures will be in place
to ensure that when profits rise, it’s not just the operator that
benefits, but good causes too.”
ENDS
Camelot’s current licence to run the National Lottery will expire
in 2023. The next licence is expected to be awarded in October
2021 with a two-year transition period.
Terms of Reference:
The DCMS Committee is inviting written submissions here by close
of play Friday 10 September addressing the following areas:
· How effectively has the fourth National Lottery licence
competition fulfilled the Gambling Commission’s
objectives?
· What will the way in which returns for good causes are
calculated under the fourth licence mean for the distributing
bodies and the projects they support?
· What needs to happen to ensure a smooth transition
between the third and fourth licence period?
· What will the outcome of the fourth National Lottery
licence competition mean for the UK’s wider lottery
market?
Further information:
Committee membership:
(Chair) (Conservative, Solihull);
(Labour, Cardiff West);
(Conservative, Winchester); (Labour, Pontypridd) (Labour, Eltham); (Labour, Sunderland Central); Rt Hon MP
(Conservative, Ashford); Rt Hon (Conservative, East Hampshire); (Scottish National Party, Ochil and South
Perthshire); (Conservative, Clacton), (Conservative, South Derbyshire).
