The daughter of the Lotteries Minister is a lobbyist for National Lottery operator Camelot, it has emerged.
This raises a red flag because Camelot is in contention to renew its 25 year licence in 2023, and campaigners are now questioning the transparency of the bidding process.
25% of National Lottery returns are directed to good causes, including the arts.
READ MORE: Camelot delivers highest ever lottery return to the arts
Alice Whittingdale works for Pagefield, a public relations firm that counts Camelot among its clients. She says there is no conflict of interest because she has never worked on the Camelot account.
Her father, John Whittingdale, lists her job on the parliamentary register of interests as a "researcher". Pagefield's website says she is a senior executive of the company.
Dr Alex May, a blogger and transparency campaigner was "astonished" none of the other licence bidders had made this connection pulic.
“The Gambling Minister should have nothing to do with the gambling industry or those who act for it.”