UK Gambling Gets Sued License for National Lottery
A lawsuit arises against UK Gambling Commission by International Game Technology (IGT),
due to their fourth National Lottery license going to Allwyn, the Czech Republic company.
IGT is prepared to sue the UK Gambling Commission after losing the fourth National Lottery
license. This lawsuit filing happens after IGT, the Italian-based partner of Camelot, lost the bid
last year for this license. The fourth license went to Allwyn instead. the Czech Republic
company. They were the license holders for the UK National Lottery, permitted until 2024. The
new decision did not sit well with them, and they decided to award the commission with a
lawsui. One of the claims made by IGT is from Article 1 of the European Convention on Human
Rights (ECHR). They have claimed the decision caused them a lot of losses and are looking for
compensation. Camelot is alleging inconsistencies when the assessment was performed. Due to
this, they are looking to win £600 million from the lawsuit.
UK MPs such as Mansfield MP Ben Bradley, and Hastings and Rye MP have publicly criticized
the Italian company. Their decision to sue may have a negative effect on the country as a whole.
If the lawsuit is won, the funds will come from the lottery money. Part of those proceeds
normally goes to vulnerable areas and people in Britain. Causes that normally would benefit
from National Lottery funds are now losing that chance. In connection, their concern is aimed at
the loss to the charities on what the IGT claim is a human rights legislation violation.
The chaos caused a temporary suspension that prevented the Commission from signing any
agreements with Allwyn. Just as the court intervened, Camelot appealed, and another suspension
got in the way of signing any agreements. Camelot at one point announced it was removing the
lawsuit just for Allwyn to go after Camelot for £100 million. This caused the legal battles to
ensue even further and turned into a head-to-head battle, one company against the other.
