Kemal Unakitan, Turkey's finance minister, said at a press conference on Thursday that the country will invite bids next month for a license to run Milli Piyango, the national lottery.
According to published reports, Mr. Unakitan did not give further details but at stake is a 10-year license to operate the lottery. The winner will retain 17 percent of revenue after sales and gambling taxes, according to officials at the state asset sales agency.
Companies expressing interest have included Intralot S.A. of Greece and Turkey's Koç Holding. Camelot Group, which operates the United Kingdom's National Lottery, may also bid, as well as Essnet A.B., Tatts Group Ltd., Gtech Holdings Corporation, Lottomatica S.p.A., Osterreichische Lotterien G.m.b.H. (Austrian Lotteries) and Sisal S.p.A.