On 15 March, the Gambling Commission announced Allwyn
Entertainment UK (“Allwyn”) as Preferred Applicant for the fourth
National Lottery licence.
The Commission subsequently received legal proceedings in
relation to the competition process, placing an automatic
suspension on our ability to formally award the licence to
Allwyn. That is why, in May, we asked the High Court to lift the
suspension. We made clear that disrupting the implementation of
Allwyn’s plans would present potentially severe consequences for
the National Lottery and good causes. It also risked the National
Lottery not operating to its full potential at the start of the
fourth licence.
Today – 29 June – the court agreed to lift the suspension. We
will, therefore, begin the important work of formally awarding
the licence to Allwyn. Our priority is to continue to work to
implement our decision and ensure a seamless and timely
transition to the next licence, for the benefit of participants
and good causes.
We will also now be preparing for trial of the various claims. We
remain resolute that we have run a fair and robust competition,
and that our evaluation has been carried out fairly and lawfully
in accordance with our statutory duties. We have taken every step
possible to ensure a level playing field for all interested
parties, to enable us to appoint a licensee who will engage and
protect players, run the National Lottery with integrity and
ensure the National Lottery maximises support for good causes and
its contribution to society through further innovation and
investment.
In order to protect the integrity of the process, we will not be
able to discuss the specifics until litigation has concluded.
