Sugal & Damani in August lost its bid to take over operation of the third British National Lottery Licence, which will come into effect in February 2009 and run for 10 years.
Instead, the current operator, UK company Camelot, will continue running the lottery.
Camelot has been running the National Lottery since it was launched in 1994. Since then, it has given away more than US$57 billion in prizes and made more than 2,000 millionaires.
However, Commissioner Anne Wright said Sugal & Damani would run the lottery should a hitch occur with Camelot ahead of contract finalization later this month.
“We are pleased to have had two such experienced and professional operators competing for the bid,” Wright said in a statement.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised its long-standing client the National Lottery Commission on the selection process and evaluation of the bids while Baker & McKenzie advised Camelot on its submission.
It was the first time that Sugal & Damani had considered an opportunity outside the country. The company has been running lotteries in India for more than 30 years. Government run lotteries were legalized in 1969.
Freshfields dispute resolution partner and Commission relationship partner Ian Terry advised alongside fellow litigation partner and head of the procurement group Sally Roe. Bakers dispute resolution partner Tom Cassels and competition and trade partner Bill Batchelor have been advising regular client Camelot on its bid.
