Children’s charity Barnardo’s is working with an Italian company to launch a rival bid to run the UK National Lottery.

The licence to run the National Lottery has been held by Camelot since 1994. Its current licence is due to expire at the end of January 2023.

The rival bid is being launched by lottery operator Sisal in partnership with Barnardo’s.

Sisal has confirmed that it has entered into the Gambling Commission’s competition to select the next UK National Lottery operator.

Barnardo’s will be involved in the bid “to ensure a best practice approach to player protection in the UK, improving protections for children and ensuring the lottery draws on best practice internationally”, according to Sisal.

“We are pleased to be working with Sisal in bidding to revitalise the UK National Lottery, which generates substantial funds for worthy causes across the UK,” said Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan.

“Our involvement will strengthen the partnership’s focus on player protection and responsible play, whilst deepening understanding of the UK charity sector and how it works to make a difference in the heart of local communities.”

Sisal chief executive Francesco Durante added: “By long experience, we know the powerful positive impact games and lotteries can have when they are fun to play and they are directed towards serving a good cause. “

“We believe lottery operators have the duty to generate resources in a responsible way and should lead the industry in raising the bar for player protection.

Four years ago a National Audit Office (NAO) investigation found that Camelot’s profits had increased proportionately greater than rises in Lottery sales and in money allocated for good causes.

Camelot’s accounts showed that lottery sales increased by 27% between 2009/10 and 2016/17. But over the same period returns for good causes increased by 2%, according to the NAO.

Earlier this year Barnardo’s pledged to take action following a racism scandal to blight its fundraising department.

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