UKGC Withholds Allwyn Lottery Bid Details

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has refused to release any documents related to Allwyn Entertainment Ltd’s successful bid for the fourth National Lottery licence, following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

In a response published on its website, the regulator confirmed it holds the information but has withheld it entirely, citing exemptions for commercial interests and information provided in confidence. The decision was upheld after an internal review.

The Request for Transparency

The FOI request, dated 19 May 2023, sought to bring transparency to the process that saw Allwyn selected to take over the National Lottery from February 2024. The requester asked for:

• Allwyn’s initial application for the licence.
• The Gambling Commission’s review and feedback on the application.
• The Commission’s evaluation of Allwyn’s submissions during the second phase of the process.
• Communications between Allwyn and the UKGC regarding the application.

Initially, the UKGC stated that the request for all communications was too broad, covering over 20,000 records. The requester subsequently narrowed this part of the request to focus specifically on communications concerning the "Solution Risk Factor" used to judge the bid.

The Commission's Refusal

Despite the narrowing of the request, the UKGC refused to release any of the information. The Commission invoked two key sections of the Freedom of Information Act 2000:

• Section 41 (Information provided in confidence): The UKGC argued that Allwyn submitted its application with the understanding that it would remain confidential. Disclosing it, the regulator said, would constitute an actionable breach of confidence and damage the free flow of information it needs from operators to regulate effectively.
• Section 43 (Commercial interests): The Commission stated that releasing the documents would likely prejudice the commercial interests of Allwyn, the Commission itself, and the National Lottery. It argued that competitors could use the information to their advantage in the future and that it could compromise the security and implementation of the new licence.

What This Means for Consumers

The decision highlights the conflict between the public's right to know and the protection of commercial secrets in major public contracts. The National Lottery is one of the world's largest lotteries, and the process of awarding its operating licence is a matter of significant public interest.

The UKGC maintained that transparency was served by information it had already published about the competition process. It argued that the public interest was best served by maintaining the exemption, as this protects its ability to regulate and maximise returns to Good Causes.

However, for consumers and transparency advocates, this refusal means the specific details of Allwyn's winning proposal, the regulator's risk assessments, and the rationale for choosing it over incumbent Camelot remain shielded from public scrutiny. The decision leaves key questions about the historic transfer of the £6.4 billion-a-year contract unanswered.