British publishing group and Health Lottery runners Northern & Shell – owned by media proprietor Richard Desmond – is suing the Gambling Commission over claims of mishandling of the National Lottery licence competition, after its bid to take over the UK Lottery was rejected.
The New Lottery Company, a subsidiary of Northern & Shell, is set to present its procurement lawsuit case to the Technology and Construction Court (TCC). Furthermore, the Case Management Conference for this case is scheduled for Wednesday 5 June at 10:30AM.
Details of the case underline the allegedly contentious selection process relating to the 2022 procurement process run by the Gambling Commission for the UK National Lottery. Previously operated by Camelot Group since 1994, Czech gambling organisation Allwyn won the bid and successfully took over the running of the National Lottery in February. Camelot also launched a legal challenge against Allwyn to the Gambling Commission relating to the decision, which was later dropped.
The contract for the UK National Lottery was a 10-year deal worth £6.5bn ($8.32bn).
Now, British publisher’s company, Northern & Shell, has called partly upon EU law to seek damages for this latest claim.
The Gambling Commission has recently reported 5% growth in GGY, as well as new rules to safeguard players from gambling harm, in collaboration with the Betting and Gaming Council, which will be mandatory for all UK gambling companies.
Concerns have been raised regarding the cost of the case for the Commission subtracting from funds that may have otherwise been put towards meaningful causes.
