NLC given green light to carry on
The article by Daniel Thomas on the Lottery regulator was off the mark (MW April 8). A correct reading of the Joint Committee’s report on the proposed Gambling Bill shows that they do not “slam” the National Lottery Commission – it states that we should be responsible for conducting the next competition for the licence to operate the National Lottery.
Over the past five years, as a result of the commission’s effective regulation, the UK National Lottery has become one of the most successful lotteries in the world. Every week, more than &£85m is paid out to good causes, winners and retailers. We continue to enjoy the complete confidence of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The real debate is about the best way to ensure that there is competition for the next licence. There are plenty of vibrant opinions, all focusing on the best way to structure the market. That is where we should all be concentrating our attention.
Moira Black
Chairman
National Lottery Commission
London W1
The Joint Committee’s report on the proposed Gambling Bill highlighted the “apparent deficiencies” in the National Lottery Commission, which led one member of the committee to stress that the commission would have been asked to step down had there been time to create a new system. Recommendations to create a single regulator for the whole gambling sector under the Gambling Commission indicate how they see the future of the NLC – Ed.