In a move to privatize its state-run lottery company, the Turkish government has announced that it will be offering a lucrative ten-year contract to the most successful bidder. The company that wins the right to run Milli Piyango will need to be responsible for distributing the prizes and making contributions to state institutions. The winning firm will benefit from 80% of the revenues, while the state will retain 20%. Last year, sales in the National Lottery topped the $1.1 billion mark.

Companies scrambling to bid for the contract include the Greek Intralot and Gtech, who are already locked in a war for lottery operations in the State of Ohio. Others include Italy's Sisal, Greece's OPAP, Australia's Tattersall and the United States based Scientific Games and Camelot. Several local Turkish companies, including the Dogan Group, have also expressed their interest.