For three decades Camelot used to run the UK National Lottery. During that time, the operator helped raise billions to charitable causes. However, two years ago, Camelot lost the bid for the National Lottery license to Allwyn, a company currently headquartered in Switzerland. Now, a new report suggests that a massive technology upgrade for the National Lottery is lagging, and this may ultimately impact the proceeds to good causes.
Technology Upgrade Hits a Snag
Upon winning the license for the National Lottery, Allwyn claimed that it would more than double the proceeds to good causes from nearly £18 billion ($22.8 billion) to the mind-blowing sum of £38 billion ($48.1 billion). This plan, the operator claimed is possible thanks to the implementation of a massive technology upgrade for the National Lottery, along with the introduction of new games that will help increase sales.
But the process faced challenges as the transfer from Camelot to Allwyn in February this year hit a snag after the former operator’s technology and solutions provider, International Games Technology (IGT), turned to court considering the company is to be replaced by Allwyn’s new provider, Scientific Games (SG).
This hurdle effectively delayed the complete implementation of the technology upgrade. However, the situation may be even more dire, as suggested by sources close to the matter, quoted by The Telegraph. Based on those sources, Allwyn already has failed to meet several deadlines for the implementation of the technology upgrade for the UK National Lottery.
To make matters worse, reportedly, the operator may even experience further delays, pushing the upgrade to mid-2025 if not even later in the year. Experts familiar with the process, whose identities were not disclosed, recognized the overhaul of the National Lottery’s existing system as “trying to stick a Microsoft system on top of an Apple computer.”
The National Lottery’s Technology Upgrade Has a £350M Price Tag
A spokesperson for Allwyn highlighted the importance of the technology upgrade. They explained that the operator vowed to invest the mind-blowing sum of £350 million ($443.2 million) into the National Lottery’s upgrade.
The spokesperson confirmed that Allwyn is “working towards switching over from the existing legacy systems – holding 30 years of data – to our new modern platform.” Finally, the representative added: “Once it is live, we will be able to transform the way customers play the National Lottery and crucially, drive even more returns to good causes.”
It is clear that Allwyn remains dedicated to the overhaul of the Lottery. However, the delay in the implementation of the technology upgrade is raising concerns considering that ten months have passed, and the process still hasn’t been completed.
Judging by the progress so far and the current challenges, further delays may impact the proceeds generated for good causes. Still, Allwyn is adamant that it will complete its plan to double such proceeds until the end of its 10-year license.
