Camelot set to lose National Lottery licence after 30 years
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Camelot will lose its licence to operate the National Lottery after almost 30 years. Czech lottery operator Allwyn is the preferred applicant to take over the venture in 2024. The company has pledged to more than double donations to good causes to £38billion over next decade. It is owned by Karel Komarek, who has been accused of having links with Russian-state energy giant Gazprom. Camelot has operated the lottery since its launch in 1994. The first draw was presented by Noel Edmonds. More than 20 million people watched the first National lottery draw.
Karel Komarek is all but confirmed as the successful applicant for the licence. He runs Europe's largest lottery operator, Allwyn. His company formed a joint venture with Gazprom to build an underground gas storage facility in his home country of Moravia in 2016. For several years, MND also held a stake in a Czech gas importer that is majority-owned by Gaz Promps. Komarkek has criticised Putin and the Russian Federation. Gambling Commission said the selection of Allyn follows a fair, open and robust competition. The commission is satisfied that no application is impacted by sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine.
Camelot has been running the National Lottery since 1994. It has created more than 6,300 millionaires or multi-millionaires since then. The lottery attracted star talent to take part in draws, including Bob Monkhouse, John Cleese and Ulrika Jonsson. Camelot's 28-year hold on the lottery has led to its reputation as one of the most efficient and robust lotteries in Europe. It was criticised in 2018 over falling amount of money raised for good causes. National Audit Office report found that its profits had risen by 122% over seven years while returns to good cause only grew by 2%.
