LONDON – Allwyn has selected Vodafone, the UK's leading technology communications company, to become its connectivity partners as it bids for the Fourth National Lottery Licence.

Allwyn is owned and operated by SAZKA Group, Europe’s leading lottery operator. SAZKA Group’s trusted brands and industry-leading technology are the backbone of their thriving lottery operations in the Czech Republic, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and Austria. In these markets SAZKA Group has a tailored brand that is relevant to the local market, and its lottery operating companies are staffed by experienced local team members who understand the latest market trends and drivers. This success has been driven by adopting the power of digital technologies, growing retail networks, and active community investment and engagement.

The Allwyn brand embodies these values while exercising Its knowledge and expertise across a Group that utilises 63,000 points of sale and digital platforms, serving an addressable market of over 79 million adults. Led by a sector-leading UK team and international experts, Allwyn embraces the power of digital to grow lotteries and make them better. By revitalising struggling entities like the national lottery in the Czech Republic, and state-run lotteries in Greece and Austria, SAZKA Group has a track record of entering new markets and making lotteries better and safer through the use of digital technologies. This approach saw SAZKA Group safely increase online sales of draw-based games across all of its markets by over 134% between 2015-2019.  

Vodafone has market leading connectivity and expertise in innovative technologies such as 5Gand the Internet of Things (IoT) which can play a role in the National Lottery experience in the UK, and enable the integration of new, exciting features and capabilities to keep ahead of ever-evolving consumer demands. Innovative technologies will also be vital in order to strengthen player protection.

Commenting on the announcement, Allwyn’s Bid Chair Sir Keith Mills said: “At Allwyn, as part of SAZKA Group, we make lotteries better so that they can serve as a force for good. We often do this by bringing the fun back to lotteries that have lost their spark, while always safeguarding our players – ensuring sustainable growth and more money to good causes along the way. With innovative partners like Vodafone, an experienced steward in SAKZA Group, and an impressive advisory board that includes Justin King and Brent Hoberman, Allwyn is building an exciting and credible future proposition for the UK market”.

Anne Sheehan, Business Director, Vodafone UK added: “We have provided market leading connectivity in the UK for more than 30 years, and we understand the technologies that enable the best, most cutting-edge experiences. With our innovative portfolio of 4G, 5G, IoT and fixed connectivity solutions, we can ensure in-app, online and retail journeys are simple and reliable for customers across the UK.”

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About Vodafone UK

Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were also the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester. As of October 2020, we have 5G in 57 locations in the UK and 193 across Germany, Spain, Italy and Ireland.

In September 2020, leading mobile benchmarking company, umlaut, named Vodafone as London’s best network for 5G. Our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population. And in October 2020, Vodafone was named Network Provider of the Year by readers of leading technology advice website, Trusted Reviews.

Today, Vodafone serves more than 18 million mobile and fixed-line customers in the UK. To help deliver Gigabit UK, our full-fibre broadband roll-out programme now covers 15 UK towns and cities through partnerships with CityFibre and Openreach.

For more information about Vodafone UK please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk  

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About Allwyn

Allwyn is the UK trading name for SAZKA Group, Europe’s leading lottery operator. Led by a sector-leading UK team and international experts, Allwyn embraces the power of digital to grow lotteries and make them better.

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About SAZKA Group

SAZKA Group is a national lottery, instant lottery and digital gaming operator, with trusted brands and industry-leading technology. Established in 2012, SAZKA Group is already one of Europe’s largest and fastest growing lottery companies and our strong performance across our markets is helping to fund good causes in the Czech Republic, Greece, Cyprus, Austria, and Italy. 

Since entering the lottery market in 2012, SAZKA Group has quickly expanded from the Czech Republic into four other European markets. SAZKA Group has consistently taken on established lotteries and made them better, while also expanding into new market segments through market-leading technology platforms. The Group’s unique experience of operating in different jurisdictions enables it to adopt a tailored approach to customer experience in each market, helping to increase sales and returns to good causes.

Responsible gaming and funding good causes are at the heart of SAZKA Group’s business and culture. It promotes responsible gaming in all of its markets and is committed to having a positive impact where it operates. From building children’s hospitals in Greece to support for the Czech Olympic Foundation, SAZKA Group has put its business skills to the benefit of the local community. 

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