Jamaican Authorities Bust Illegal Cash Pot Operation
Law enforcement officials from various agencies in Jamaica on Saturday converged on an illegal betting operation and have since summoned 119 vendors.
Officials with the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) are leading the investigation into Supreme Ventures Limited, a cash pot operator. (Cash pot entails participants purchasing numbers between 1 and 36.)
The massive raid included members of the Financial Crimes Unit and the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries' Law Enforcement Team. A Jamaican Defense Force helicopter was used as well. Cash, records and other documents were seized. The operation reportedly employed around 2,000 people.
BGLC officials said roughly $500,000 was seized in the raid, with more money still to be counted. The commission said the network generated nearly $60 million a week.
Intralot Inks Deal with Nebraska Lottery
The Nebraska Lottery last month announced that Intralot Inc., will be its new online lottery gaming system and related services provider. A seven-year deal will go into effect on July 2004.
Intralot will provide all the hardware, software, equipment and services related to the lottery's on-line lottery activities. Intralot will play a key role in the continuing development of the Nebraska Lottery's sales and marketing efforts.
Intralot will also install approximately 1,500 of its high-end Coronis full-function terminals at retailer locations across the state. Lottery officials predict the new terminals will expand the gaming network and generate increased revenue for the lottery.
UK National Lottery Numbers Are Down
The U.K. National Lottery Commission has published its Annual Report and Accounts for 2002-03.
Mark Harris, chief executive of the commission, said numbers for the national lottery were down, but plans are already in place to return them to expectations.
"We have continued to monitor (National Lottery operator) Camelot's performance," he said. "Overall, sales performance for 2002-03 were below expectations, but Camelot has responded with game plans which, if successfully implemented, should deliver stability during 2003-04 and real growth in 2004-05. We regularly review Camelot's performance against its plans."
A copy of the report is available for viewing at www.natlotcomm.gov.uk.
Inter Lotto Wins Court Battle against Camelot
Inter Lotto, a British company that manages lotteries for charities, has won its legal battle against Camelot.
The Court of Appeal ruled last month in favor of Inter Lotto in a lawsuit concerning the "Hotpick" trademark.
Inter Lotto argued that it was the first to use the "Hotpick" name and sued Camelot for trademark infringement and passing-off.
The court ruled that Inter Lotto's passing off claim could cover the date at which Camelot started using the trademark in relation to its lottery product.
Gigi Goes Virtual for Customer Support
Thanks to a deal between San Fancisco-based NativeMinds and the U.K. National Lottery, customers can now communicate online with a virtual version of lottery draw presenter Gigi Morley.
NativeMinds created the likeness of cyber-Morley, who will be accessible 24 hours a day through the lottery's Web site.
Virtual reps, or "vReps," are automated service agents that improve consumer relations and decrease call center costs by immediately answering questions on the Web.
Massachusetts Officials Warn about Fake Web Site
Officials with the Massachusetts state lottery sent out a public warning across the globe that they aren’t sending out e-mails to potential lottery winners.
The warning was released after complaints came in from Chile, Australia and England from residents who received e-mails and cell phone text messages claiming they had won a large cash prize from the lottery.
Users were asked to provide personal information to claim their prize, but were also asked to send or give credit card information so a charge of $100 could be assessed for U.S. taxes.
The roots of the messages are still being investigated by lottery officials, who warned consumers that they should never give personal information over e-mail unless they are dealing with a familiar company.