Camelot seeking Court of Appeal showdown over lottery

Camelot is seeking a Court of Appeal showdown with the Gambling Commission as the fight for the next National Lottery licence rumbles on. 

The Canadian company is challenging a High Court decision that paved the way for Allwyn Entertainment to take over the lottery. 

This comes shortly after former gambling minister Chris Philp recently told a Parliamentary committee he was ‘very disappointed’ that Camelot was pursuing the litigation. 

Camelot suggests the regulator’s assessors flagged ‘implausible’ revenue forecasts at Allwyn, owned by Czech billionaire Karel Komarek, which this year was named as the preferred applicant to run the lottery, due to start in 2024. 

Camelot, which has operated the National Lottery since it began 28 years ago, has claimed it would have been appointed had the commission not made a ‘manifest error’. 

A Court of Appeal hearing today will determine whether its challenge can proceed. 

A separate trial is also set to proceed between the parties which will consider Camelot’s claim for damages, which could cost the Government around £600m.