High Court
National Lottery operator Camelot asked for the review because it believes the Health Lottery contravenes the Gambling Act 2005
Camelot’s application for a judicial review of the Gambling Commission’s decision to grant licences to the 51 society lotteries operating under the Health Lottery brand will be heard today.
The National Lottery operator asked for a judicial review of the commission’s decision in March because it said that the Health Lottery had positioned itself as a direct rival to the National Lottery, in contravention of the Gambling Act 2005.
The ‘rolled-up’ hearing is due to begin this morning, with the judge deciding whether to allow a judicial review followed by a hearing of the case, if permission is granted, for which the court has allowed three days.
Responding to Camelot’s claims in March, the Gambling Commission’s general counsel, Neil McArthur, said the proposed review would have "no arguable ground and no realistic prospect of success". A spokesman said this week that the commission had nothing to add.
A Camelot spokeswoman said: "We look forward to presenting our case in court." The Health Lottery did not wish to comment before the hearing.
