Camelot’s hopes of running the National Lottery for the next decade have been all but completely extinguished after a High Court judge ruled that control of the draw can be passed to new operator Allwyn Entertainment.

Mrs Justice O’Farrell today said that the Gambling Commission can sign a contract with Allwyn, the gambling empire owned by billionaire Karel Komarek, following a legal challenge.

The decision will mark an end to Camelot’s three decades running the National Lottery in 2024.

Camelot is now expected to pursue a claim for an estimated £500m in damages as it argues the regulator made a mistake in its decision to award the contract to Allwyn.