Aussie review board concludes Intralot was unfairly disadvantaged

A dispute over lottery licence negotiations in Australia that started in 2008 ended this week with a decision by the Gambling Licensing Review Panel following an independent study of a complaint by Intralot. The panel concluded that Intralot was treated unfairly during a bid for public lottery licenses in the Australian state of Victoria, and that it was not informed about licence amendments made in rival Tattersall's favour to provide exclusive sales areas.

Intralot should have been advised of the former state government's willingness to negotiate on conditions relating to dedicated areas, the panel found.

The Intralot complaint was that during the negotiation process for licenses it was not given important information that disadvantaged it against its rival.

Reacting to the finding, the current government of Victoria undertook to consult with lottery licensees and agents, but said it would not respond officially until this had been completed.

Intralot Australia CEO Leo Watling said the findings confirm the company's view that it had suffered from prejudicial behaviour from the previous Victorian government and its agencies.

"The findings are an important acknowledgement of the damage that has been caused by the previous government's flawed licensing process," Watling said in a statement.

A spokesman for Athens-based Intralot said the company "reserves its rights in terms of a legal remedy," without offering any more details.

Source: InfoPowa News