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The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr Brendan Howlin TD, is pleased to announce the launch of the competition for the award of a 20 year exclusive licence to operate the National Lottery in Ireland.

Interested parties who have responded to the invitation for Expressions of Interest issued earlier this month are now being granted access to a virtual data room where the competition documentation can be accessed. This includes the Request for Applications and the Draft Licence together with considerable background information on Lottery operations conducted by An Post National Lottery Company under the current licence.

Applicants will be required to meet two key Essential Requirements, Management Capability and Financial Capacity. Subject to meeting the Essential Requirements the applicant who submits the highest Licence Fee proposal will be deemed the preferred applicant. The deadline for applications is September 16^th 2013.

The key elements of the competitive offering include:

the ongoing annual contribution to Good Causes will be set at 65% of Gross Gaming Revenues, which are defined as Sales minus Prizes,

current arrangements for retailer commission will be maintained

the upfront payment shall be payable in two equal installments, the first in 2013, the second in 2014,

"We have to be innovative and creative in how we raise funds; by seeking an upfront payment for the Lottery licence we can provide part-funding for the new National Childrens Hospital without having to source that level of cash by reducing expenditure in other areas or raising additional taxes." Minister Howlin continued, "In addition, I’m looking to boost the annual revenues that will be available for Good Causes on an ongoing basis by promoting the growth of the lottery and closely aligning the interests of the licensee and the State."