Way cleared for Allwyn’s UK lottery

The UK’s current National Lottery operator, Camelot, has dropped its legal challenge against the appointment of the Czech-owned Allwyn taking over the contract.

Camelot sought to delay the takeover, questioning the country’s Gambling Commission’s decision. Now Allwyn, controlled by Karel Komarek, the lotteries billionaire, is clear to take over Europe’s largest lottery.

Camelot had launched a High Court action against the naming of Allwyn as the Gambling Commission’s preferred successor for the 10-year licence. A temporary suspension of the licence award has now been dropped.

The lottery is expected to generate between £80bn and £100bn in ticket sales.

The Camelot lawsuit has not gone away, however. It will still seek damages if its claim that the contract was awarded incorrectly is upheld.