Olympic gold medallist slams Camelot over good causes contribution
“120% profits…and only giving 2% back to a good cause, I would feel morally depleted,” said Adam Peaty
Three-time Olympic medallist Adam Peaty has hit out at National Lottery operator Camelot, while serving as a witness alongside Paralympian gold medallists Lauren Rowles and Ellie Robinson, at a DCMS select committee meeting on the future of the National Lottery.
MP and DCMS member Kevin Brennan sought Peaty’s views about National Lottery operator Camelot’s 2% increase in funding for good causes which includes funding for sport between 2009-10 and 2016-17, while Camelot’s profits had shot up by 122%.
Responding to Brennan, Peaty said: “If I looked at my company and I knew what I was doing, getting 120% profits and only giving 2% back to a good cause, I would feel morally depleted.”
Committee member John Nicolson further added: “I was very uncomfortable when I heard that you had to pay homage to greedy Camelot, the fact that you’re instructed to be obsequious to them on camera. It made me feel terribly uncomfortable because at the end of the day, this is funded by gambling.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Camelot expressed disappointment towards the claims: “It’s disappointing to see people once again referring to an outdated, flawed report – which gives an inaccurate picture of the current health of the National Lottery.
“We retain around 1% in profit. Last year, we achieved record National Lottery sales of over £8.3bn and over £7.9bn of that went back to winners and society, compared with £78.1m retained in profit.”
Responding to Nicolson’s comments, the spokesperson added: “Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes who receive National Lottery funding are, like all funding recipients, asked to thank National Lottery players, not Camelot.”
Last week, Camelot announced its highest ever first-half National Lottery ticket sales of £4bn for the first six months of the 2021/22 financial year (1 April to 25 September) – an increase of £107.3m (+2.7%) on last year.
Meanwhile, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has confirmed four final bidders for the fourth National Lottery licence competition. Sazka Group and Sisal are expected to rival Camelot for the fourth National Lottery licence, alongside a fourth unnamed competitor, with the contract expected to commence in early 2024.