SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Addressing an audience of executives at the ‘Media & Telecoms 2019 & Beyond’ event in London, UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) CEO Neil McArthur has urged media, technology, telecoms and publishing stakeholders to offer vital input on the next National Lottery licence.
In 2019, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) working alongside the UKGC will launch the initial framework for a National Lottery tender, with McArthur outlining that the UK lottery contract must deliver on innovation, meeting new consumer demands.
In his speech, McArthur told delegates: “The National Lottery has been an incredible success and its potential is huge. Harnessing technology, understanding consumer behaviour and innovating to keep players engaged and safe are the keys to unlocking that potential.
The current National Lottery contract operated by Camelot Group will expire in 2023, with the UKGC expecting multiple parties to put forward propositions in running the £ multi-billion contract.
Camelot has operated the National Lottery since its inception in 1994 raising a reported £39 billion for UK good causes. Nevertheless, the Canadian pension fund owned firm has come under political fire in recent years, as its public accounts demonstrated that the company delivered increased profits whilst its capacity for funding good causes declined.
The UKGC has detailed that it is actively seeking advice from wide-ranging organisations and businesses, in finance, media, telecoms and technology sectors with regards to developing the framework and operating objectives for its National Lottery contract.
Speaking to media and telecoms executives, McArthur detailed the importance of the National Lottery as a UK institution, having helped fund more than 500,000 UK charity grants and the funding of GB Olympic and Paralympic Games teams.
“When I look around this room, I see lots of pioneers and innovators,” he added. “I see a room full of people who will have a vision of what the future may look like in their field of expertise. And I’d like you to share your thoughts with me and my colleagues, so we can get a clearer view of what the world might look like in 2023 and beyond.”
