Exclusive Elaine Watson
Camelot has emerged as the retailers' choice to run the national lottery in a survey carried out for The Grocer.
We quizzed independents with a Lottery terminal and found 44% want Camelot to retain the licence double the number in favour of newcomer the People's Lottery.
Almost one quarter of retailers said they didn't care who won the next Lottery licence.
Our survey also reflects growing retailer concerns that with less than a year to go to handover day, the Lottery Commission still has not made a final decision about who should win the licence.
Of those we contacted, 63% were worried that a delay in the introduction of new terminals was now inevitable, while 65% said that any such delay would be damaging for their businesses. Half of those we questioned felt the Lottery Commission's handling of the bidding process had been "poor" or "very poor".
One retailer said: "It's absolutely ridiculous.
"It's turning into a farce if things drag on for another five or six weeks the Commission's going to have to shift next October's deadline."
The Commission says it has had talks with Camelot about a short-term licence to ensure the handover runs smoothly should the company lose the rights to the lottery.
James Lowman, of the Association of Convenience Stores, said: "Confusion still reigns and we can't even reassure retailers because we have no real access to the bidding process.
"Installing 28,000 plus terminals doesn't happen overnight.
"Regardless of who wins, it's the logistics that are concerning people now."
Bells' retail services director Mike Walker said retailers were also worried about terminal reliability.
He added: "Even if it does not win, Camelot should be allowed to stay another year to make sure the transition works smoothly."
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