TEL: +44 20 7928 1234
Email:
info@asiantrader.biz
HOME
|
ABOUT US
|
AWARDS
|
SUBSCRIBE
|
ADVERTISE
|
CONTACT
INTERVIEWS
WHOLESALE DEALS
PRODUCT DIRECTORY
TRADE LINKS
RETAIL INSURANCE
TRADE ADVERTS
Levi Roots launched new promotion
Latest News
Industry News
Product News
General News
Comment
Camelot bid to offer commercial services is blocked by regulator
26/07/2010
INDEPENDENT retailers have criticised the National Lottery Commission after it said it was likely to block Camelot’s bid to use its network of lottery terminals to offer commercial services.
Camelot wants to offer services such as mobile top ups and electronic bill payments through its network of lottery terminals in independent stores across the UK.
However, the regulator said it was “minded to refuse to grant consent” because it might be in breach of competition laws.
Both the National Federation of Retail Newsagents and the National Federation of SubPostmasters said they were disappointed by the move because it would restrict both retailers’ and consumers’ choice in the commercial services market. Camelot described the decision as “flawed.”
However the provisional ruling was welcomed by electronic payments firms PayPoint and Payzone, which already operate similar in-store payment services to those proposed by Camelot.
Both companies believe Camelot’s plans to offer services like mobile top ups and electronic transfers through its terminals would distort competition in the bill payments sector and place non lottery retailers at a disadvantage.
Bill Thomson, the managing director of Payzone, told Asian Trader: “Camelot have established their terminal network as a result of an exclusive contract with the Government to supply the National Lottery, whereas companies like Payzone have spent many millions of pounds growing their own networks.
“It would not have been fair for Camelot to use an infrastructure based on an exclusive government-granted contract to start competing commercially with companies like ourselves.”
But Camelot insisted its proposals did not breach either European or competition law.
“We remain convinced that our detailed and carefully-considered plans, based on thorough and robust legal advice, should allow us to offer commercial services through National Lottery retailers,” Camelot said.
Camelot wants to offer mobile top up, calling cards for international telephone calls and electronic fund transfers, among other services, through its terminals.
The commission added that its decision was only provisional and that anyone wanting to comment on its initial ruling should do so by September 3.
No user posted comments on this archive
Post Comments
Email :
Comments :
Copyright
|
Careers
|
Privacy Policy
|
Disclaimer
|
Accessibility
|
Contact Us
© All rights reserved 2010. www.asiantrader.biz
