Camelot loses licence to run the National Lottery after 28 years with Allwyn Entertainment to start from 2024

Camelot has lost the licence to run the National Lottery after 28 years.

The Gambling Commission has announced Allwyn Entertainment Ltd as its preferred applicant for the lottery’s next licence holder, starting from 2024.

It comes after the public body said it received the highest number of applications to run the National lottery since the first licence was awarded to Camelot in 1994.

Camelot has now been named the “reserve applicant” after four firms applied for the licence.

Allwyn, a UK-based subsidiary of Europe’s largest lottery operator Sazka, signalled its intent to run the National Lottery by launching a bid in 2021.

Andrew Rhodes, gambling commission chief executive officer, said: “In its lifetime, the National Lottery has raised more than £45bn for good causes and is rightly seen as a great national asset.

“Our priority was to run a competition that would attract a strong field of candidates.

“Having received the most applications since 1994, it is clear that we’ve achieved just that.

“I am confident that the success of the competition will lead to a highly successful fourth licence – one that maximises returns to good causes, promotes innovation, delivers against our statutory duties, and which ultimately protects the unique status of the National Lottery.

“We look forward to working with all parties to ensure a smooth handover.”

John Tanner, gambling commission executive director and senior responsible owner for the competition, said: “The Commission is grateful to all four applicants for their engagement in the competition.

“We were impressed by the overall standard of applications, including the range and quality of innovation proposed, and the high level of confidence and ambition demonstrated for the prospects of the National Lottery under the fourth licence.”