Interactive
UK – Lottoland ‘dismayed’ by ‘unjustified’ Government decision
By Phil - 1 December 2017
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s has confirmed it will prohibit betting on UK EuroMillions.
The DCMS said its decision follows an industry wide consultation started in March 2017, in which it garnered support to prohibit betting on the EuroMilllions draw. It said the ban on betting on the EuroMillions lottery draws by third-party operators would help protect UK national causes and charity initiatives.
Nigel Birrell, CEO of Lottoland: “We believe that today’s decision is unjustified, and sets a dangerous precedent for policy-making on the basis of no evidence. It will do nothing but stifle innovation in the sector. DCMS itself recently stated in the FOBT consultation that any decisions on the outcome must be based on clear evidence. In today’s consultation response from the Government they clearly state that the current evidence base is not conclusive.”
“We believe a review period was a proportionate and a responsible way forward that would have allowed for a final decision to be made on real evidence,” he added. “Given the significant impact to our UK business of this decision, we are reviewing all available options before determining our next steps.”
