UK News 24-08-2000 Branson`s Chance To Win Lottery who: Richard Branson what: Given one month "rollover" to win lottery contract where: LONDON when: Yesterday snippet: "Sir Richard Branson`s dream of running the National Lottery was finally within his grasp last night," says The Express, "after regulators scuppered the bid of arch rivals Camelot." Branson and his People`s Lottery team have one month to come up with the £50million they need to win the contract, says The Sun`s Paul Crosbie. "The Lottery Commission decided that Branson`s non-profit making scheme should get the seven-year licence from 2001 as long as certain hitches were sorted out" "Camelot was ruled unfit to run the Lottery for a second time after it emerged that its US technical supplier GTech covered up underpayment to some winners," explains The Mirror. "We are bitterly disappointed and stunned," said Camelot`s Chief Executive Tim Holley. The decision threatens 800 jobs in Watford, Liverpool and London. "We have always said we could deliver much more for good causes and are happy that the commission has acknowledged that," said Sir Richard, who was yesterday stranded in the Caribbean by a hurricane. "I am returning to meet with the commission and am hopeful that we can finally deliver to the people of Britain the lottery they want." [... more]

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