The National Lottery could be suspended for the first time in its history amid a bitter court battle over the licence of the beloved multi-million pound draws.
Earlier this year, it was announced that the Gambling Commission's plans to transfer the licence for the lottery from Camelot to Allwyn from 2024.
It will be the first time that the rights to operate the National Lottery will change hands since it started in 1994.
Camelot is now challenging that decision in court, the Mirror reports.
A decision from the case could take months or years to resolve, which could see draws suspended during any potential handover in two years time.
There are also fears that some players who win on the lottery when it is in the hands of Camelot, may not be able to claim their prize if it’s no longer under their control, according to The Sun.
Concerns have also been raised that it could mean some charities will lose out on money raised by the competition.
Camelot claims the Gambling Commission's decision to give the lottery licence to Allwyn was "badly wrong" and claimed the company was "unlawfully appointed”.
A High Court ruling — expected this week — will decide if a suspension of the lottery should be put in place in February 2024 if court proceedings remain unresolved.
It will be the first time the game has been suspended in its 30-year history.
The commission insists it ran a “fair and robust” competition for the licence - which will run for 10 years - and said there was “regret” that Camelot has gone to court.
Allwyn, a company backed by Czech billionaire Karel Komarek, has said before that it was “complying fully with the Gambling Commission on all aspects of the process”.
It pledged to give £38 billion to good causes.
It comes after Joe, 49, and Jess Thwaite, 44, won a record Euromillions £184,262,899 jackpot with a lucky dip on Tuesday 10th May.
"Joe and Jess made it into the top one thousand of the richest people in the UK overnight," says Andy, sounding nearly as shocked as the couple. themselves.
"It is hard to get your head around that amount of money."
"I called them that morning to confirm the win, and to talk them through what would happen next," he says.
