Camelot acts to stall Oflot overseas probe

Camelot is attempting to stall regulator Oflot’s inquiry into the legality of its international arm by saying that there are no “concrete plans” to run overseas lotteries.

But the company’s Watford headquarters has been visited by at least two groups representing foreign lotteries on “fact finding” missions in the past two weeks. It is unclear whether the two groups approached Camelot to operate their lotteries. But it is understood Camelot has already approached authorities in South Africa to run its soon-to-be-launched lottery.

Oflot began its investigation after Marketing Week revealed the existence of Camelot International Services (November 1). The company was created in August although Oflot was not informed – as it should have been – until last week. It is now seeking legal advice from the Government’s Treasury solicitor on whether Camelot’s plan to run lotteries overseas breaches its remit.

Camelot communications director David Rigg says if Oflot refuses to permit Camelot to run lotteries overseas, the lottery operator’s shareholders could set up a new international division separate from Camelot.