Italian firm Sisal, which runs SuperEnalotto in Italy, has launched a bid to operate National Lottery in the UK, posing a threat to incumbent Camelot that has been running the lottery since its launch more than a quarter of a century ago.
A surprise move
The Italian betting firm has emerged as a surprise addition to the competition for the next licence to run the UK’s National Lottery and seize control from the current operator Camelot.
The coveted fourth National Lottery licence will run for 10 years from 2023.
To further strengthen its bid, Sisal has partnered with charity Barnardo’s, which will provide the expertise of raising money for good causes in the UK.
“Our focus is to make the lottery safer and an even better source of funds for good causes” said Sisal Chief Executive Francesco Durant.
Additionally, US private equity fund and owner of rugby’s Six Nations CVC Capital Partners is backing up Sisal’s tender.
The operator notably claimed the move builds on its recent successes and its “perfect record”.
Italian market giant
Sisal was founded in 1945 by three journalists. It counts today over 1,800 employees and operates more than 39,000 points of sale with reported revenue of €8.8 billion (£7.6 billion).
The firm also recently begun to expand outside its domestic market and has won licences in Turkey and Morocco.
Competition
The tender process was launched last August by the British Gambling Commission. To this day, Czech gambling conglomerate SAZKA Group, Indian lottery operator Sugal & Damani and Sisal have joined the race to end Camelot UK thirty-year reign.
The Commission is expected to announce its preferred bidder by the end of this year.
