Published on: November 13, 2024, 08:23h.
Last updated on: November 13, 2024, 08:23h.
The new UK lottery operator, Allwyn Entertainment, is facing delays in implementing a tech overhaul. According to The Daily Telegraph, the process is likened to trying to stick a Microsoft system on top of an Apple computer.
There are concerns that Allwyn, formerly Sazka, may struggle to meet its commitment to charitable causes due to these delays.
Allwyn won the $80 billion (US$100 billion) contract by pledging to raise double the amount for good causes compared to its predecessor, Camelot. Its bid promised £38 billion (US$48 billion) for charitable causes over the next decade.
The UK National Lottery is a key funder of charitable organizations, supporting sports, heritage, and other causes in the UK.
Legal Challenges
The tech upgrade was initially planned for February when Allwyn took over from Camelot. However, legal challenges from International Games Technology (IGT), Camelot’s technology provider, delayed the transition.
Camelot and IGT sued the UK Gambling Commission for awarding Allwyn the tender, but the lawsuits were eventually dropped or dismissed.
Allwyn is now aiming for a new tech deadline in February, with the possibility of further delays until summer 2025 or later, as reported by the Daily Telegraph.
Catchup Plan
Charitable contributions may fall short in Allwyn’s first two years by several hundred million pounds. The company plans to make up for this shortfall over the ten-year contract period.
We are investing more than £350 million in the biggest technology upgrade the National Lottery has ever had, and we are working towards switching over from the existing legacy systems to our new platform,” said an Allwyn spokesperson to the Telegraph.
“Once it is live, we will be able to transform the way customers play the National Lottery and drive even more returns to good causes,” they added.