Flutter chief Peter Jackson has written to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) seeking last-minute support for Sisal’s bid to take over the National Lottery.
As reported by The Times, Jackson has urged the Commission to support Sisal’s bid to replace Camelot as the incumbent of the National Lottery licence, stressing that Flutter will be fully committed to the Lottery through the Italian group.
In December last year, Flutter secured a deal with CVC Capital to acquire Sisal for around £1.6bn, a transaction expected to be finalised in the second quarter of this year.
Announcing the deal to its stakeholders, the UK firm outlined a number of ‘strategic outcomes’ when announcing the deal but made no mention of Sisal’s National Lottery ambitions.
However, Jackson is hedging his bets that Flutter’s position as a leading UK operator can win Sisal the 10-year contract.
“The Gambling Commission should have no doubt as to Flutter’s commitment through Sisal to the future success of the lottery,” he wrote in his letter to the Commission.
The Times also reported that the letter was sent as part of UKGC’s evaluation process, in which it is gathering evidence from key witnesses. The letter was also co-signed by Sisal’s CEO Francesco Durante.
Flutter’s signal of support comes late in the day as UKGC is expected to announce the winner of the competition this month. Sisal is battling it out with current incumbents Camelot, the Czech Republic’s Allwyn and Richard Desmond’s Northern & Shell for the license.
The winner will take control of the fourth lottery licence in February 2024 when Camelot’s current stint expires.