Sisal Malta Consortium, the runner-up in the concession for the Maltese National Lottery license, has contested the decision for National Lottery plc to win the tender.
As reported by the Times of Malta, the consortium – made up of Sisal, Eden Leisure Group and Scientific Games – filed a court challenge against the decision, claiming that National Lottery plc does not fulfill the requirements to hold the lottery license.
In the court case, Sisal Malta Consortium argued that the tender winner should not have passed initial checks conducted by the authorities. It alleges that the victor had not employed over 300 people in the years prior to the concession call, despite it being a requirement to be eligible.
Furthermore, the judicial protest alleges that National Lottery plc, majority-owned by Izi Group, does not have the working capital to hold the 10-year license.
Lastly, the court filing states that Sisal Malta Consortium alleges that the 105m tender bid is an anomaly, given that the lottery generated 86m between 2010 and 2019.
Back in November, National Lottery plc was announced as the winner of the tender, replacing Maltco, after bidding 105m.
Meanwhile, Sisal Maltco Consortium only bid €53.33m for the contract, ultimately leading the authorities to reject it in favour of National Lottery plc.
In December, Eden Leisure alongside Sisal and SG failed in a bid to impose a prohibitory injunction on the result as it was submitted too late in the concession process to be considered by courts.
