UKGC Data: Camelot Outscored Allwyn on Lottery Business Plan

Article Content

A Freedom of Information (FOI) response from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has revealed that former National Lottery operator Camelot scored significantly higher than winner Allwyn on its business plan during the bid for the fourth licence.

The data, released following a request dated 20 November 2024, provides a rare glimpse into the competitive evaluation process for the multi-billion-pound contract. While Allwyn ultimately secured the licence, the documents show its operational and strategic proposals were rated lower than those of the long-term incumbent.

Why This Matters

The National Lottery is one of the world's largest lotteries and a significant source of funding for public projects across the UK. The selection of its operator is a matter of substantial public interest. This data helps consumers understand the criteria on which the UKGC based its landmark decision to change the operator for the first time since 1994, and highlights the trade-offs made during the selection.

A Breakdown of the Scores

The UKGC evaluated bidders across several key areas. Two bidders, The New Lottery Company Limited and Sisal Spa, were disqualified after failing mandatory checks on propriety, player protection, or financial strength.

The competition came down to Allwyn and Camelot. The FOI release shows the final scores were extremely close, with Allwyn receiving 87.18% and Camelot receiving 85.67%.

However, the business plan scores, marked out of 75, tell a different story:

• Camelot UK Lotteries Limited: 67
• Allwyn Entertainment Limited: 57
• The New Lottery Company Limited: 39
• Sisal Spa: 34

Camelot outscored Allwyn in several key business plan areas, including 'Transition', 'Portfolio', and 'Channels'. This indicates the regulator had more confidence in Camelot's proposed operational execution and game offerings.

What the Data Reveals

The disparity between the business plan scores and the final result is highly significant. Since Allwyn won with a lower business plan score, it must have performed exceptionally well in the other two graded categories: 'Licensee’s Proportion of Surplus' and 'Good Causes Contribution'.

This strongly suggests that Allwyn’s victory was secured by its financial projections, promising a greater return to good causes from lottery ticket sales. This aligns with the UKGC's statutory duty to maximise such returns.

Crucially, the UKGC has refused to release the specific scores or projections for these financial categories. The regulator cited sections 41 (confidentiality) and 43 (commercial interests) of the FOIA, arguing that disclosure would:

• Breach confidentiality agreements with the applicants.
• Prejudice the commercial interests of the companies involved.
• Potentially compromise future competitions and the UKGC's ability to secure the best outcome for good causes.

For consumers and the public, this partial disclosure confirms that the decision to award Allwyn the licence was primarily a financial one. The regulator prioritised Allwyn's promise of higher returns for good causes over Camelot's higher-rated operational plan.