Netherlands Antilles-based Lottery International has launched what it is
calling the world's largest online lottery at www.lotteryint.com.
The first draw is scheduled for March 9, 2001. Turnover is expected to be
about $80 million. One fourth of this, around $20 million, will go to the
winner, a fifth to charity and 15 percent to those who pick four or five correct
numbers. This and all future drawings can be viewed live at the website.
Entering the draw entails opening an account with a minimum of $20. Each
lottery entry costs $1. Credit card information is encoded by a complex 128-bit
encryption code.
South African Lotteries Board spokesperson Sershan Naidoo says that punters
should play this lottery "at their own risk," as the board has no control over
it.
The Curacao-based company was started by two South Africans, Leon Strydom and
former motorcycle champion Jim Redman.