LOTTERY
2009. More recently, the operator has branched out into other countries such as Turkey last year. A step into the UK market would, therefore, be a familiar one for Sisal, albeit in the face of some strong competition for the Fourth National Lottery licence.
Camelot In March, Camelot demonstrated its pursuit of growth for the lottery, as well as a commitment to its retail roots by sealing a notable deal with supermarket chain Aldi. Following a successful trial in the north of England, the agreement will see all 900 of Aldi’s stores across the UK sell Lotto, EuroMillions, Lotto HotPicks, EuroMillions HotPicks, Set For Life and Thunderball games at their checkouts by the end of June, allowing customers to purchase tickets when doing their food shop. Jenny Blogg, Retail Director at Camelot, commented on the deal: “We’re absolutely delighted to now be working with Aldi. Making The National Lottery available in its stores has been a priority for us as we continue to make playing The National Lottery as convenient and easy as possible for people, wherever and however they shop. “We’re pleased that Aldi customers will now have a quick, easy and convenient way to purchase their favourite National Lottery games, while at the same time contributing to the £30m that goes to National Lottery Good Causes each and every week. We certainly hope there’ll be plenty of lucky tickets bought in Aldi stores across the UK.” However, this deal has come under some scrutiny as Stuart Reddish, the President of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN), believes it could mean fewer people visiting their local independent shops to play the lottery. Reddish said: “This move will dilute sales across the whole retail estate. The more products available in the multiple outlets, the less likely it is that National Lottery players will visit their local independent retailer to pick up their tickets or scratchcards.”
Sazka/Allwyn Over the past few months, Sazka has made several additions to its National Lottery bid team advisory board that will provide counsel to Bid Chair
Sir Keith Mills
Sir Keith Mills, Bid Director Alaistair Ruxton and the wider team as part of its pursuit of the licence. It has also established Allwyn, a new British corporate identity that will bring together parts of its UK operations under a single brand. Commenting on Allwyn, Bid Chair Mills stated: “At Allwyn, as part of Sazka Group, we make lotteries better so that they can serve as a force for good. We often do this by bringing the fun back to lotteries that have lost their spark, while always safeguarding
A STEP INTO THE UK MARKET WOULD BE A FAMILIAR ONE FOR SISAL, ALBEIT IN THE FACE OF SOME STRONG COMPETITION FOR THE FOURTH NATIONAL LOTTERY LICENCE
our players – ensuring sustainable growth and more money to good causes along the way. “We bring a fresh perspective to lotteries, one that is powered by vast experience in different consumer environments. With innovative partners still to come on board, an experienced steward in Sazka Group – Europe’s leading lottery operator – and an impressive advisory board that includes Justin King and Brent Hoberman, Allwyn is building an exciting future proposition for the UK market.” Allwyn’s bid advisory board includes experts from a range of fields, including good causes, player protection, digital and innovation, and entertainment. Five notable additions to the board include former Sainsbury’s CEO Justin King; former Global CEO of Syco Entertainment Charles Garland; founder of lastminute.com Brent
sbcmagazine.com 65