UK News 20-12-2000 Camelot Wins The Lottery who: Camelot what: Wins National Lottery licence where: LONDON when: Yesterday snippet: "Angry Richard Branson said last night he was `sad and baffled` at seeing the lottery licence snatched from his grasp by Camelot," reports The Mirror. His company The People`s Lottery (TPL) was considering legal action against the National Lottery Commission, says The Financial Times, after their decision to renew Camelot`s seven-year licence to operate the lottery. "This is extraordinary," said Sir Richard. "I think Camelot have been given a licence for life. The real loser will be the lottery itself." "The announcement came six months late after a protracted process," says The Telegraph, "which saw the battle between Camelot and TPL dragged through the High Court and the forced resignation of one commission chairman." "A non-profit making lottery was an election pledge which is not being honoured," said Sir Richard, for whom running the Lottery has been an over-riding ambition. "It is sad that one civil servant can be appointed to a commission and change everything dramatically," he said. [... more]

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