GC CEO: Prize draws could capitalise if National Lottery “missteps”

Gambling Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes has labelled The National Lottery a “national institution” and that consumer protection cannot be an “afterthought” amid a series of challenges.

Speaking at the Allwyn Participant Protection Conference yesterday, 23 September, Rhodes said The National Lottery had been “put on a pedestal” and that it was held to a higher standard than other gambling products.

Allwyn has run the UK National Lottery since last year, after it took the fourth National Lottery licence following a successful bid, wresting it away from long-time holders Camelot.

Rhodes argued that consumer protection around The National Lottery was of paramount importance, as he praised Allwyn for its efforts on the topic.

The National Lottery is the most participated-in form of gambling in Britain, with 29% of Gambling Survey for Great Britain respondents saying they had bought a draw ticket in the last month.

A further 11% had bought scratchcards and 6% had played instant win games.

The CEO said: “The great British public do not want harm coming from the things they treasure and, ultimately, they won’t tolerate it either. But of course, that potential for harm is itself what makes participant protection so vital.

“The National Lottery is one of the lowest risk products I and the Commission regulate. But that doesn’t mean participant protection can be an afterthought. Because there will always be a risk, however small.

“And that risk can and sadly sometimes does lead to terrible harms. So, The National Lottery – especially given its status – must make every effort to counter that risk.”

Rhodes went on to suggest that should Allwyn and The National Lottery fail to deliver adequate consumer protections, competition from prize draw operators could increase.

The likes of Omaze, Raffle House and Prizeo have all soared in popularity as an alternative to The National Lottery, although the vertical remains unregulated by the Gambling Commission.

Rhodes added: “Something I didn’t say earlier is that our statistics tell us that the model of The National Lottery is one that others are keen to replicate – the offer of a life-changing win while raising money for good causes is an appealing one.

“And outside what we regulate, we see this as well with the success in recent years of prize draws.

“Were there to be missteps in participant protection, if The National Lottery were to all of a sudden be seen as higher risk, these would-be competitors may well capitalise.

“And that is just one more reason why prioritising participant protection matters. That is why everyone making the effort to attend today, at this event, matters.”

The post GC CEO: Prize draws could capitalise if National Lottery “missteps” first appeared on EGR Intel.

 Andrew Rhodes insists player protection is key for Allwyn, as he warns standards must be kept high to avoid damaging the “national asset”
The post GC CEO: Prize draws could capitalise if National Lottery “missteps” first appeared on EGR Intel.