In 2021, world-renowned operator, Allwyn, obtained a license for the National Lottery in the United Kingdom following a decision by the country’s gambling authority, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) to grant the license. Nonetheless, this led to legal action against the regulator. Initially, a lawsuit was brought by International Game Technology (IGT) against the UKGC but was subsequently dropped within a year in September.
Presently, the gambling control board has reported that a second legal action by IGT has also reached a stalemate. After ceasing the first legal action, IGT started a new one, claiming compensation for damages. However, this legal action is now overturned after a verdict from the High Court. The court decided that IGT lacked “the legal merit to initiate this lawsuit against the Commission”. As an outcome, it stated that IGT’s claims have been turned down and the operator no longer has the right to claim compensation.
This latest verdict by the High Court is a landmark event in this prolonged legal battle. Essentially, it terminates IGT’s claims for the fourth National Lottery license as the High Court’s verdict endorses the UKGC. However, the decision can still be appealed if IGT decides to contest it.
Of late, IGT declared a fresh partnership with Totalizator Sportowy, the operator of the Polish national lottery. Under the terms of the contract, the company is tasked with enhancing the operator’s iGaming platform, shifting all its solutions to the cloud.
“This concludes all IGT claims regarding the Fourth license competition in the Commission’s favor, unless IGT chooses to appeal the current decision. We firmly believe that that we executed a fair and rigorous competition, and that our scrutiny was conducted justly and legally in line with our statutory duties,”
this was stated in a press release by the UK Gambling Commission
Another Legal Case Has Yet To Reach A Verdict
IGT isn’t the sole operator that sought legal action addressing the National Lottery license of Allwyn. The New Lottery Company (TNLC) too pursued legal action which is still pending. As per the UKGC, it is ambiguous as to what TNLC will decide in light of the outcome of IGT’s legal action.
The gambling oversight body confirmed that one of its continuing objectives is the “uninterrupted and timely transition” to the fourth National Lottery license. Being among the world’s largest lotteries, the UK National Lottery has financially supported around 670,000 worthy deeds in the country by accumulating more than £47 billion ($60.4 billion) ever since its inception in 1994. Regardless of the changeover to a new licensee, the Lottery anticipates further expansion and an uptick in the contributions for charitable causes.
The former National Lottery operator, Camelot UK, initially opposed the decision of UKGC. However, later it withdrew its legal action and was subsequently taken over by Allwyn.
