Camelot chooses O2 as lottery games provider

Mobile phone company O2 has been selected by UK National Lottery operator Camelot to provide the technology for playing lottery games via text message, it was announced today.

Under the scheme, O2 Interactive Products will work with Camelot to enable mobile phone users from all networks to play draw-based games by the end of this year.

O2 will be providing the SMS capability for the service, making use of its technology platform to carry text messages to Camelot’s interactive service.

The platform is the same as the one used in television shows such as Pop Idol and Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

The service will be launched later this year, subject to final approval from the National Lottery Commission, Camelot said.

With 50 million mobile phone users and 20 billion text messages sent each year in the UK, the new SMS service is part of a scheme by Camelot to increase access to the National Lottery.