The People's Lottery is expected to need at least 12 months to get up and running if it wins. A survey of independent newsagents yesterday found two-thirds concerned that the new terminals would not be ready in time. Camelot is due to hold talks with the commission to extend its licence for a month or two beyond October in case of delay, but the spokeswoman warned yesterday that the uncertainty meant many staff were seeking jobs elsewhere. There are also problems with renewing supply contracts. Charities fear that an interruption to the lottery could leave them out of pocket.
Nobody wants there to be a hiatus.
However, the home secretary, Jack Straw, said last week that the commission should consider its position. All this leaves Camelot with the inescapable conclusion that it has been and will continue to be subjected to intolerable bias.