The Gambling Commission has launched the competition to award the fourth National Lottery licence.

The National Lottery is one of the world’s largest lotteries and the current (third) licence is due to expire in 2023. Since launching in 1994, National Lottery players have collectively raised more than £41 billion for 565,000 good causes across the UK, transforming lives and contributing to the arts, sport, heritage and communities.

The next licence seeks to build on that success by creating a framework that maximises the opportunities for players and good causes to benefit from innovation and creativity, whilst protecting the National Lottery’s unique status.  

In 2018, the Commission began an extensive programme of global market engagement to hear from businesses and investors interested in the future of the National Lottery.

Today, interested parties are being invited to take part in the first formal stage of the competition. Applicants that pass through this stage will receive the Invitation to Apply (ITA) and supporting documents in order to begin preparing their application.

The preferred applicant will be announced September 2021. 

Neil McArthur, Gambling Commission Chief Executive, said: “Today, the competition for the fourth National Lottery licence begins. Over the last quarter of a century, it has made an unprecedented contribution to communities across the UK and has made a difference to the lives of millions. 

“The National Lottery is a national treasure. It has a reputation for providing enjoyable games and a high degree of player protection, as well as a rich history of prize giving and returns to good causes. We are determined to protect and build on the reputation of the National Lottery. 

“For the fourth licence, we will be evolving our approach to regulation to build on the National Lottery’s huge successes. In line with our outcomes-focussed approach to regulation, we want the next licensee to have greater autonomy to meet the needs of players in 2023 and beyond, whilst ensuring there is clear accountability for the performance of the National Lottery. 

“Throughout our market engagement, we have been encouraged by a healthy level of interest from a range of different parties and we look forward to running a competitive process.” 

Minister for Sports, Tourism and Heritage Nigel Huddleston said: “The National Lottery has a positive impact on communities right across the UK, supporting thousands of good causes as well as the sectors that brighten up our lives including the arts, culture, heritage and sport. The fourth licence competition will secure the National Lottery’s future combining safe play with life-changing prizes. Most importantly it will help raise billions more pounds to benefit people’s lives in villages, towns and cities throughout the country.” 

Dawn Austwick, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund, and Chair of The National Lottery Forum, said: “The National Lottery has been at the cornerstone of communities across the UK for 25 years. In this time, National Lottery players have raised £41bn for good causes, supporting arts, sport, heritage and communities and transforming people’s lives. We welcome a strong competition to ensure this success continues for years to come.”