Lottery a loser in court
battle over health rival

Camelot UK Lotteries had asked two judges in London to declare that the Gambling Commission is “unlawfully and unreasonably” failing to review The Health Lottery (THL) scheme.

The scheme manages and promotes rival draws on behalf of 51 organisations and charities.

Camelot claimed that, because of the extent to which the 51 are controlled and accountable to THL, the scheme is not a collection of single lotteries but has become a rival national lottery.

It also claims the scheme is costing it £1m a week.

At a hearing in July it was argued on behalf of the Commission that Camelot’s legal challenge was fatally flawed by delays in seeking judicial review and was a “disguised” attempt to interfere with the Commission’s discretion.

Camelot’s action was dismissed by the two judges.

In a written ruling Lord Justice Stanley Burnton, who heard the case with Mr Justice Kenneth Parker, announced that he would “refuse Camelot permission to proceed with its claim for judicial review, on the grounds of its delay and its failure to establish a claim with a real prospect of success”.

He said he agreed with the Commission “that the question whether multiple society lotteries should be permitted is a political question, to be determined by the Government or Parliament”.