Sugal & Damani, a conglomerate based in Mumbai, submitted a preliminary proposal to the National Lottery Commission (NLC) last week. It joins the current operator, Camelot, and Australia’s Tattersall’s in the field of bidders for the new lottery licence.
The conglomerate, whose businesses range from tourism, jewellery and financial services, has run lotteries across the subcontinent for more than three decades.
Sugalchand Jain, chairman of the group, said in a statement: “We are in the process of finalising our bid. We have more than 35 years of continuous operation of government lotteries in various states of India. Being in the business for more than three decades, Sugal & Damani developed thorough expertise at all levels, be it technology, operations or financial strength.”
The company, which has recently invested heavily to install terminals in several Indian states, is thought to be concentrating its pitch on its technical expertise.
Jain said: “While we are one of the top players in every form of lottery trade in India, what sets us apart is total control over technology that makes us confident to bid for the UK national lottery. Sugal & Damani have already rolled over 17,000 computer-based lottery terminals in Maharashtra, Punjab and West Bengal.”
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Under Dianne Thompson, Camelot’s chief executive, Britain’s lottery has expanded into new games, including the multi-million-pound pan-European lottery and Lotto, as well as on-line games and scratch cards. Camelot also launched London Olympics scratch cards.
The UK lottery has raised more than £18 billion for good causes. Jain is known as a philanthropist in India. Through the chairman, the company contributes part of its revenues to six charitable trusts that provide healthcare, education and other forms of community services across India.
The invitation to apply for the licence was made in London recently with the submission date of December 15 this year. The UK national lottery licence beginning in 2009 is for a period of 10 years. It is thought the commission is also considering extending the licence period from 10 to 15 years. The successful candidate is likely to be appointed in just over a year’s time.
The NLC is keen to encourage as many applicants for the new licence as possible to answer criticisms that the odds are tipped in Camelot’s favour.
In recent months there has been speculation over bids from several other players, including Italy’s Lottomattica and Greece’s Intralot, which was thought to be in partnership with the bookmaker Ladbrokes. Neither of these bids has yet materialised.
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Last week Sir Richard Branson, who has tried and failed to win the lottery licence twice before, announced he would not be bidding for the third licence. The Virgin boss is thought to have spent months with advisers before deciding not to launch a bid again for his not-for-profit proposal, called the People’s Lottery. He said he believed the process was stacked in favour of Camelot.