Published
LotteryLegal & Regulatory

Camelot hit with £3m fine over a 2009 fraudulent prize claim

The

NationalLottery
UK Gambling Commission (GC) has imposed a fine of £3m on Camelot, operator of the National Lottery, after an investigation into allegations of a fraudulent prize claim and payout.

The penalty comes in the wake of an investigation into a fraudulent National Lottery Prize claim, allegedly made and paid out in 2009.

The alleged incident only came to light in 2015, with the police and the GC immediately made aware.

The GC investigation found that while it could not be certain that fraud had taken place, it was more likely than not that a fraudulent prize claim had been paid out.

In its findings, the GC stated that Camelot breached its operating licence in three key areas: Its controls relating to databases and other information sources, the way it investigated a prize claim, and its processes around the decision to pay a prize.

It did stress, however, that the event was specific and a one off, with its investigation uncovering nothing in the way of systemic failings on Camelot’s part.

Chief Executive of the GC, Sarah Harrison, said: “The Gambling Commission’s chief concern is to ensure the National Lottery is run with integrity and that player interests are protected.

“Camelot's failures in this case are serious and the penalty package reflects this. Importantly, the package also ensures that good causes will not lose out as a result of Camelot's licence breach.

"Lottery players can feel reassured that our investigations have found no evidence of similar events happening and that controls are in place today to mitigate against future prize payout failings of this type.”

Camelot CEO Andy Duncan said: “It’s really important that people understand that this allegation relates to a unique, one off incident dating back to 2009 and involves a potentially fraudulent claim on a deliberately damaged ticket. It has nothing to do with The National Lottery draws themselves.

“We accept that, at the time, there were some weaknesses in some of the specific controls relevant to this incident and we’re very sorry for that.

“We’ve strengthened our processes significantly since 2009 and are completely confident that an incident of this nature could not happen today. We welcome the Gambling Commission’s confirmation that this is the case.”

Premium+ Connections
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
 
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium Connections
Consultancy
Executive Profiles
Resorts World Las Vegas
Star Sports Group
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon
Follow Us

Facing Facts: Analysing figures from emerging gambling markets

Where is the gambling market on the rise, and are there any...

Taking Stock: A guide to lottery/iLottery operator and supplier prices

Gambling Insider tracks lottery/iLottery operator and suppli...

New Horizons Cover Feature: United Arab Emirates

With its first land-based casino set to open in 2027 and a n...

New Horizons Cover Feature: Brazil

Brazil performed quite the feat by getting its heavily delay...

The best of Malta at the Global Gaming Awards

Powered by Gambling Insider, the Global Gaming Awards are th...

Preview: SiGMA Malta 2024

A place in the winter sun: SiGMA returns to the home of iGa...

Company profile: Soft2Bet

Bill 55: Advantages and challenges for Maltese operators in...

Company profile: DS Virtual Gaming

DS Virtual Gaming is a leader in the gaming industry, utilis...