Camelot will withdraw its appeal over lifting of an automatic suspension, allowing the Gambling Commission to grant the licence to Allwyn Entertainment UK. Instead, Camelot will pursue a damages claim over the National Lottery licence award.

On 14 July, the Court of Appeal granted Camelot and IGT permission to appeal the High Court’s decision to lift the automatic suspension that prevented the Gambling Commission from formally awarding the fourth National Lottery licence to Allwyn Entertainment UK (“Allwyn”).

As a result of permission to appeal being granted, the automatic suspension remained in place.

On its website, the Gambling Commission said on "Monday 5 September 2022 – we received correspondence from Camelot indicating that they intend to withdraw their appeal and pursue their claim in damages only. We are not aware that IGT’s position has changed and therefore the IGT appeal and the suspension will continue until that is resolved. Resolution of the appeal would allow us to proceed with the important work of formally awarding the licence to Allwyn.

"Our priority is to continue to work to implement our decision and ensure a seamless and timely transition to the next licence, for the benefit of participants and good causes.

"We remain resolute that we have run a fair and robust competition, and that our evaluation has been carried out fairly and lawfully in accordance with our statutory duties."