As one of the world's most popular forms of gambling, lotteries have successfully made the shift to the interactive arena. Once a month, IGN's I-Lottery Update delivers an international roundup of the latest news from this burgeoning sector of the industry.
DMCS Announces Lottery Consultation Paper
The United Kingdom's Department of Culture, Media and Sport launched its consultation paper on the National Lottery's operation license this week.
DCMS Secretary Tessa Jowell said that while the lottery is only eight years old, it is an important part of English society and has contributed much to the country's charities.
The purpose of the consultation paper is to address the lottery's regulations and framework so that its income can be increased to the fullest extent. The lottery's operation is licensed to Camelot, and the license expires in January 2009. If changes need to be made to the lottery's rules, they need to be done before the license is reviewed in 2009.
The consultation paper will address whether lottery regulations need to be liberalized so that more companies bid for the operation license when Camelot's expires.
"There are no preconceptions. No set ideas," Jowell said. "We have an open mind about the outcome. I would encourage all those who care about the future of the lottery to read the document and respond."
Camelot released a statement in response to the launch of the paper saying it would carefully consider the government's objectives before formally replying to the paper.
"Camelot welcomes the government's consultation document on options for the operation of the National Lottery in the third license," the statement read. "The government has provided a very thought-provoking start to the forthcoming national debate."
Philippine Group Offers Food to Lotto Players
In the Philippines, a religious group opposed to gambling is offering lottery players the chance to trade in their lottery tickets for groceries.
The leader of the Christian group said it is planning to offer food as a "moral equivalent" to gambling as a way of convincing people not to gamble.
The group is also asking the government of close three lottery ticket sales outlet.
"If you oppose something, you should give people an option, that's why we came up with this idea," said Oscar Magallanes, the leader of the Church of the Mountain, the group that is planning the lotto-for-food campaign.
Magallanes said the group is planning to position its members near lottery stores and offer people the choice to either buy a lottery ticket or received two cans of sardines.
Camelot Blames Current Events for Ticket Slowdown
In other National Lottery news, Camelot's leader has said that a trio of recent events have been stealing tickets sales from the game.
The World Cup, the Queen Mother's funeral and the Golden Jubilee are the three event that Camelot head Dianne Thompson blames for deflating lottery sales.
Sales slumped the weekend of England's win over Denmark during the World Cup, and also during the two bank holidays during the Golden Jubilee.
Two months ago, Camelot embarked on a £72 million re-launch of the lottery.
Vernons to Debut Rival Online Lottery
U.K. gaming company Vernons said in June that it is planning to start an online lottery that will compete with the National Lottery.
Called "My Numbers," the game will cost £1. Vernons said it would launch the lottery in July.
Players will choose four or five numbers out of 49 to win between £7,000 and £100,000. The company said it will offer the game online.
"We can't compete direct with the National Lottery, but we can provide an alternative," said Peter Ammundsen, the company's marketing director. "Punters want larger prizes for fewer numbers so we're delivering a product they want."