The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has stated its confidence that Allwyn UK will achieve its objective of raising more money for good causes as the new operating steward of the National Lottery.
On 1 February, Allwyn will take charge of the UK government’s Fourth National Lottery Licence, noted as a transformative event for UK gambling and the third sector, as the National Lottery transitions for the first time to a new operator.
This morning, the Commission published the Fourth Licence and its supporting documents on its website, made available to the public for transparency and to outline the objectives of the new licence.
John Tanner, who served as Executive Director of the Fourth National Lottery Competition, praised Allwyn and the government for completing a ‘seamless transition’ and cited the importance of the upcoming change for UK stakeholders.
As detailed by Tanner: “Since we announced Allwyn as the Preferred Applicant back in March 2022, the team here at the Commission has been working incredibly hard with Allwyn, Camelot, and the Government to make sure the handover that is coming on 1 February is a seamless one that sets the National Lottery on a firm footing to raise even more funds for Good Causes across the country over the next ten years.”
A seamless transition means that initially, National Lottery players will not notice significant changes as existing games, draws, and scratchcards will be available as before. Yet over time, as Allwyn implements its plans, players can expect to see changes aimed at increasing returns to good causes – the key criteria for Allwyn being awarded the tender back in March 2022.
Of significance to the objectives, the Fourth Licence introduces a new ‘Incentive Mechanism’ across all National Lottery products, to contribute equally to Good Causes. The new incentive mechanism links Allwyn’s profits directly to the increases in funds raised for these causes.
Completing the transition, the Commission states that the National Lottery Licence has been structured to foster investment in innovation through its 10-year stewardship with Allwyn.
As such, the Commission has adopted an outcomes-based model that provides certainty about the duration of the licence: 10 years, with the possibility of an extension in particular circumstances, but only if it adds value to the National Lottery.
A new National Lottery will continue to prioritise safer gambling, with the Commission overseeing its regulation to ensure it remains a secure and enjoyable option for players.
Concluding its statement, the Commission is reassured that Allwyn will maintain the heritage and legacy of the National Lottery, which since its inception in 1994 has funded over 670,000 projects and raised more than £47bn for good causes across the UK.
Tanner remarked: “Everyone on the team here at the Commission has worked incredibly hard to ensure that the next ten years of the National Lottery are even more successful for players and for Good Causes throughout the country than the last ten years, and I would like to put my thanks on record to them for that.”
