Microsoft is teaming with Virgin Airlines in Virgin's bid to run the U.K. national lottery. Microsoft founder Bill Gates recently joined Richard Branson, Virgin's CEO in discussing their mutual plans for the People's Lottery in a BBC interview, "Breakfast With Frost."
Microsoft would provide the necessary technology and software for the lottery to be accessible via the Internet, mobile telephones and interactive television.
"The lottery terminals in the past have not used PC technology and there hasn't been a way of leveraging all the things which are going on with the Internet," Gates said in the interview. "It's very right to say: 'Isn't there an approach that can cost a lot less money and can be a richer experience for those that want to use it?'. And that's part of the vision."
The lottery raises funds for various U.K. charities, and Branson has pledged to surpass current license-holder Camelot's charitable giving. Although Camelot donates more money to charity than other national
lotteries, the company's image has been tarnished through new stories highlighting board members' exorbitant salaries and bonuses.
With the benefit of new technology aiding the People's Lottery, another £2 billion could be given to charity annually, Branson added.
Connections to gambling don't seem to bother Gates. "If people are going to gamble, shouldn't you make sure that the money that's generated by that goes to good causes," Gates said.
Branson has recruited several additional companies, including U.S. sportsbook operator AWI, accountants KPMG, Kellogg's and Cisco, to join him in his lottery bid.