Branson: Lottery rival offered me bribe
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Richard Branson claims he was offered a bribe to drop his bid to run the National Lottery by the head of a US technology company that has a 22 per cent stake in Camelot, the successful bidder for the lottery.
Mr Branson, head of the Virgin group, said the offer was made by Guy Snowden, chairman of GTECH, which provides equipment for 72 lotteries world-wide, after Mr Branson announced his bid would be non-profit making, which he calculated would provide an extra pounds 300m for the good causes the lottery helps.
According to Mr Branson, Mr Snowden offered the inducement when he visited his home in Holland Park, west London, in September 1993. He says on tonight's BBC Panorama programme that Mr Snowden said the Government was "going to let a private company make a fortune" out of the lottery, but his (Branson's) plans could cost them "hundreds of millions of pounds".
Mr Branson said he was so shocked he took down a note of the conversation. It records Mr Snowden saying: "Well, I don't know how to phrase this Richard, there's always a bottom line. I'll get to the point. In what way can we help you?"
Mr Branson said he asked for clarification. "I obviously asked him what he meant, and he said 'I'm sure everybody needs something', and obviously I told him 'Thank you very much, I'm quite successful. You only need one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner per day.' "
Although Mr Branson said he did not make a formal complaint, he says he reported the alleged bribe to the head of Oflot, the lottery watchdog. But Peter Davis, director general of Oflot, said he was not aware of the alleged bribe.
Both Camelot, which is making more than pounds 1m profits a week from the lottery, and Mr Snowden, who sits on Camelot's board of directors, strenuously denied the allegations yesterday.
Tim Holley, Camelot's chief executive, said:"We utterly refute that the approach took place." Mr Snowden said he was considering legal action. "The allegations are outrageous and absolutely untrue."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments