Bidders looking to operate the National Lottery from 2023 proposed a higher-than-expected number of new games for the service, according to the Gambling Commission.

A spokesperson for the Commission told Better Retailing the high number of submissions to its “games feedback” process caused a slight pushing back of the initial applications deadline to mid-April. They described the application process for the fourth National Lottery licence so far as “very competitive”.

Independent shops partnered with National Lottery face fresh competition from Aldi

Freedom of information requests by Better Retailing revealed the exact level of interest for the first time. Though requests for the number of applicants and games feedback submissions was refused as being too “commercially sensitive”, the Gambling Commission revealed 43 parties were offered an “initial meeting”.

A total of 27 parties subsequently had initial meetings with the Gambling Commission.

Explore our online archive of RN back issues