UKGC clears Allwyn's National Lottery bid despite past Russian ties
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has confirmed that Allwyn’s past financial links to Russia did not influence its bid for The National Lottery licence. The decision follows months of scrutiny from MPs concerned about transparency in the licensing process. Questions had been raised over the company’s ties to Russian banks and energy giant Gazprom. Allwyn, owned by Czech investment group KKCG, previously held loans from VTB Bank and Sberbank—both sanctioned by the UK and EU. The company later repaid these debts in full. In June, KKCG also severed its remaining connections to Gazprom by buying out the energy firm’s stake.
KKCG’s founder, Karel Komárek, had publicly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a ‘senseless act of aggression’. Allwyn provided evidence, including an email, to demonstrate that Komárek held no pro-Russian stance. Despite this, MPs like Iain Duncan Smith criticised the UKGC for delays in disclosing details about Allwyn’s Russian ties.
The UKGC first informed Allwyn in March 2022 that KKCG’s historical links to Russia were irrelevant to its National Lottery application. Officials later reiterated that Gazprom’s past investments in KKCG did not directly impact Allwyn’s operations or its suitability for the licence. The UKGC’s final assessment confirms that Allwyn’s indirect Russian connections played no role in the licensing decision. The company has since cut all financial and corporate ties to sanctioned entities. MPs had pushed for greater clarity, but the regulator maintained its position throughout the process.
