Camelot buy about half debt-funded

LONDON (Reuters) - Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan arranged roughly 200 million pounds of acquisition financing to back its 389 million pound takeover of British national lottery operator Camelot, two people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

OTPP, Canada's largest pension plan, on Thursday won the battle to acquire Camelot, beating a rival offer from private equity firm CVC CVC.UL.

The pension plan's victory comes weeks after it lost out to Australian gaming company Tatts Group (TTS.AX) in the race to buy New South Wales Lotteries, the people added.

Tatts bought the Australian lottery firm for A$850 million (515.3 million pounds) at the start of March.

Macquarie Capital advised OTPP. Rothschild and Greenhill advised Camelot. RBC said in a statement it was sole bookrunner for the acquisition financing, with RBS and Macquarie Bank also mandated lead arrangers, but did not give any figures.

On Friday De La Rue (DLAR.L), one of Camelot's five owners, said it would use its proceeds to reduce its pension-fund deficit and buy back shares. Camelot's other owners are Cadbury Plc, Royal Mail Enterprises, Fujitsu Services (6702.T) and Thales Electronics (TCFP.PA)

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(Reporting by Quentin Webb; Editing by Hans Peters)