Irish government have begun the process of finding a new operator for the country’s National Lottery.

Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin has formally invited expressions of interest for the licence, which would run for 20 years.

The lottery has been operated by An Post since the draw’s creation 26 years ago, with the firm rumoured to be interested in registering a joint bid with suppliers GTech.

The government, which hopes to generate as much as €600m from the licence sale, passed special legislation to allow the contract to be put out to tender.

The full competitive process is likely to begin this month, with the winning bid expected to be selected later this year.