Bidders are understood to have consolidated into three main groups.
The Sunday Telegraph revealed in 2019 that Sir Richard Branson and Mr Komarek’s Sazka Group were among a slew of interested parties.
While the Virgin Group founder ruled himself out earlier this year, Czech lottery tycoon Mr Komarek has bolstered its team by hiring Flint Global, a public affairs firm that employs Dame Sue Owen, the former permanent secretary to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Mr Desmond’s Northern and Shell group runs the rival Health Lottery and he has made no secret of wanting to take the prize.
He has previously criticised Camelot – which has run the National Lottery since its inception in 1994 – insisting that the lottery should be taken “back into British hands” in a swipe at the operator’s Canadian-ownership.
A spokesman for Camelot said: “As we’ve said all along, it’s only natural that we are interested in bidding – as we’ve run one of the world’s most successful lotteries for the past 25 years.
“However, we’re not in a position to confirm whether or not we’ll bid at this stage as we’ve not seen the final invitation to apply.
“Our immediate focus continues to keep The National Lottery running and strong for the benefit of the nation.”