Sugal & Damani Pledge for National Lottery Licence

Following the news that European lottery operator, Sazka, has mounted a challenge for the UK’s National Lottery licence, another major player has now seemingly thrown their hat into the ring. Indian operator, Sugal & Damani, will once again challenge for the licence they previously bid for in 2007.

Sugal & Damani have completed the first step in the selection process having completed the Gambling Commission’s Selection Questionnaire. 

 Group chief executive, Kamlesh Vijay, said:

 “As a leader in operating lotteries across India and other jurisdictions, Sugal & Damani has shown its deep interest to operate the UK National Lottery since 2007 when it participated and also [was] selected as a reserve bidder by qualifying all required standards like propriety, technology, player protection, channel management, and financial capability.” 

Vijay continued:

“We are looking for a fair and open competition that UKGC has initiated, we are very much in the game, we are in the final stages of creating a strong consortium of credible partners, the details of which will be shared in due course.” 

 “As far as the UK lottery market is concerned, it is a large one and highly reputed. There are a huge local following and brand reputation for the UK National lottery, but there are challenges in the market too because people are looking for new excitement and there is stiff competition from other gambling products. We believe that people have a soft corner due to the fact that lotteries contribute more towards well defined good causes, so that attitude is a big plus point. However, continued innovation is very much required in a responsible way to consolidate on this soft corner. Being an organisation with deep-rooted innovation in every sphere of our activity we are happy to be in the competition.”