National Lottery Act 2013

Revocation of licence

36. (1) The Regulator may by notice in writing to the licence holder inform the holder of his or her intention to revoke the licence giving reasons for the proposed revocation if—

(a) an action or actions of the licence holder is deemed by the Regulator to materially damage the National Lottery or the State or the reputation of the National Lottery or that of the State,

(b) in the opinion of the Regulator, a term or condition of the licence or a provision of this Act has been contravened,

(c) the licence holder has failed to comply with a direction by the Regulator under section 33 ,

(d) any information given by the licence holder in or in connection with the application for the licence or in pursuance of a term of the licence was false in a material particular,

(e) the licence holder is not taking, or proposing to take, steps that are necessary or desirable for preventing the commission of fraud with respect to the National Lottery, or

(f) any person who is managing the business or any part of the business of running the National Lottery under the licence is not a suitable person to do so having regard to any guidelines under subsection (6);

and afford the licence holder a reasonable period, being a period of not less than 21 days, to make representations to the Regulator.

(2) Having given the licence holder such period as is reasonable to make representations on the proposed revocation following a notice under subsection (1), the Regulator may decide to revoke the licence.

(3) In the event of the Regulator deciding to revoke the licence, the licence holder may appeal the decision to the High Court within 21 days of the decision or such further period as the Regulator allows.

(4) Where the Regulator decides to revoke the licence—

(a) the decision takes effect, where no appeal is made within the period referred to in subsection (3), upon the expiration of that period, and

(b) in the event of an appeal against the decision made within that period, the decision stands suspended until the appeal is determined or withdrawn.

(5) In circumstances where the Regulator deems that there is an immediate and grave risk to the solvency of the National Lottery, the Regulator may apply to the High Court for an order permitting the immediate revocation or suspension by the Regulator of the National Lottery licence held by the operator.

(6) The Minister may issue guidelines to the Regulator in relation to the suitability of a person to manage the business or a part of the business of running the National Lottery.