Overview
- The Victorian Auditor-General has opened a review into the 40-year public lottery licence extension to assess value for money and whether a real threat of competition was kept, with a report due early next financial year.
- At parliamentary estimates, Gaming Minister Enver Erdogan said a market assessment begun under former treasurer Tim Pallas recommended private talks with The Lottery Corporation, and he confirmed an open tender was not pursued.
- The extension was reached through exclusive bilateral negotiations and includes a $1.145 billion upfront payment, replacing a licence that had been due to expire in 2028.
- Officials say the process had oversight from probity advisers, a market sounding and an independent review panel that will report to parliament soon, while a rival operator says it was never invited to engage.
- Terms disclosed at estimates include a commitment not to lift lottery tax rates further and 10‑year offers for more than 800 retailers, which the government says provides certainty for small shops that rely on lottery sales.