Lottery Operators Join Bid

Camelot is the current operator of the UK National Lottery having been awarded the licence in 1994, and again when it was renewed in 2001. But who will take over at the next renewal in early 2009?

There are always companies on the look out for profitable businesses and at the moment The Hilton Group has gone into partnership with Intralot, a Greek supplier of lottery technology, and would hope to bid successfully for the next licence.

Sportec, who own the gaming side of Littlewoods are interested, as are Gala, a casino and bingo operator who will be bidding on behalf of Coral Eurobet. The People’s Lottery headed by Richard Branson may well try their luck again, having failed to win the bid previously. And two more companies may well join the race, namely Tattersalls, an Australian gambling group, and the high street chain of shops William Hill may be interested.

- 24/11/05