Camelot in running to buy lottery licence

The operator of Britain’s national lottery has moved quickly to express interest in its Irish counterpart as the Government put a 20-year licence to run it up for sale.

British gambling giant Camelot said it welcomed the Irish move, but needed time to “digest” the implications of bidding for the lucrative deal.

The slice of lottery money earmarked for good causes will remain at 30.5%, Public Sector Reform Minister Brendan Howlin insisted yesterday as he announced the far-reaching changes to the gaming set-up.