The National Lottery Commission has approved Camelot’s proposal to invest in 8,000 more terminals in return for a four-year license extension.
The extra terminals will be introduced as soon as possible, adding to the 28,000 National Lottery terminals already in operation throughout the UK. Camelot said 6,000 of the new terminals would be allocated to the independent sector, with approximately 50% in rural and suburban areas. A spokesman said the terminals have already been provisionally allocated.
In return for Camelot making this investment, the National Lottery has agreed to extend Camelot’s licence by four years, to January 2023.
Camelot said it would provide new retailers with in-store digital media screens, permanent point-of-sale equipment, retailer literature and training, and comprehensive marketing support.
It said it took into account over 40 separate criteria in choosing the new retailers. These include the population of an area, current and projected sales, footfall, store size, access, potential demand, and the attitude and enthusiasm of staff – as well as wider market trends and changes in the retail landscape.
Duncan Malyon, sales director at Camelot, said in-store sales grew by 5% to almost £5 billion in 2010/11. “We want to build on this outstanding achievement – and this initiative will enable us to do just that. The significant expansion of our retail estate, and all that that involves, reiterates our ongoing commitment to invest in and support our retail partners,” he added.
Dr Anne Wright, chair of the National Lottery Commission, said: “This investment is likely to secure a significant increase in the net proceeds of the National Lottery and we are therefore pleased to accept Camelot’s proposal.
“The Commission has not identified any issues that are likely to have an adverse impact on either the propriety of the running of the Lottery, or on player protection and we are satisfied that Camelot will extend its arrangements for prevention of underage play to cover the new terminals.”
