Irish Lottery Bid Readied by Allwyn, Faces Stiff Competition

Posted on: April 5, 2023, 08:57h. 

Last updated on: April 5, 2023, 03:17h.

Erik Gibbs Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming.

Camelot has been reducing its activity in the lottery space, and not always by choice. It’s out as the operator of the UK’s National Lottery, having lost the concession to Allwyn. It recently announced that it’s exiting Ireland as well, and Allwyn has confirmed that it’s ready to compete for the rights.

Irish lottery players prepare to make their selections
Irish lottery players prepare to make their selections. As Camelot offers to give up its stake, UK National Lottery operator Allwyn announces it will bid for the rights. (Image: Photocall Ireland)

The owner of Camelot, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Fund (OTPP), decided recently that it will close Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), which holds majority control over the Irish lottery. Allwyn, the largest lottery operator in Europe and growing, wasted no time in trying to source the financing necessary to place a bid.

The Financial Times reports that it may have talked to several banks in March, including UBS. This may have led to a deal. Allwyn, for obvious reasons, isn’t commenting on the arrangements.

Allwyn Has an Ace Up its Sleeve

Bidding for the license, which Camelot has held since 2014, is going to be a battle. Allwyn will have to face a number of companies that have also shown interest in entering the race. Among these are Australia-based Lottery Corporation, France’s Française des Jeux, International Game Technology, and others.

Allwyn hopes it’s holding a trump card that it can use to convince regulators to hand it the concession. It already controls online drawings in Ireland through its Camelot Lottery Solutions Group (Camelot LS) subsidiary.

Allwyn completed the purchase of Camelot LS last month after announcing the acquisition this past December. As part of the company’s assets, there is a lottery technology division, which could boost Allwyn’s chances in Ireland.

Other operators might have to partner with a tech provider in order to run PLI’s operations in the country. By already securing the technology, Allwyn is one step ahead of several potential competitors.

It took a while for the UK to make its choice when it was awarding its fourth lottery license. This may not be the case in Ireland, as a winner could be announced by the end of the summer.

Irish Lottery Plays Large Economic Role

The Irish National Lottery was established in 1987 and has been hugely successful, generating more than €5.8 billion (US$6.34 billion) in sales since its inception. It offers a range of games, including Lotto, EuroMillions, Daily Million, and Telly Bingo.

The proceeds from the lottery go toward funding good causes in Ireland, including sports, arts, heritage, and community projects. The lottery is also a significant employer, with more than 200 people working for PLI.

Allwyn’s bid to take over the Irish National Lottery has caused some controversy, with some people expressing concern that the company isn’t Irish-owned. There are also concerns that the company may not be as committed to supporting good causes in Ireland as PLI has been.

Allwyn has stated that it’s committed to operating the lottery in a responsible and transparent manner, and that it will continue to support good causes in Ireland. The company has also said that it plans to invest in the lottery and introduce new games and technologies to enhance the player experience.