Hilton Group is considering bidding for the next UK National Lottery licence – which will commence in January 2009 when Camelot’s current contract expires – through its Ladbrokes division.

Other companies interested in operating the lottery are gaming operator Gala, Richard Branson’s People’s Lottery and Sportech, which owns Littlewoods Gaming.

The National Lottery Commission yesterday published responses from all the above companies and many others to its proposals for the structure of the next licence.

The commission is set to launch a Statement of Main Principles detailing its views on the issues raised this autumn.

Bids will be formally invited in the middle of next year, with offers expected to come in between November 2006 and April 2007. Details: www.natlotcomm.gov.uk