In a burst of common sense and logic, Great Britain's National Lottery Commission has decided to welcome Internet betting on its National Lottery. Brian Pomery, chairman of the group, told the London Daily Telegraph, "We want the 21st century lottery to use 21st century technology. The commission welcomes the use of new technology as a means of distribution, but subject to preventing excessive play and under 16's playing."
The British National Lottery is the world's largest with $8.4 billion dollars revenue in the past year and has held that position for four years. It is protected in Britain against its closest rival, Millions2000, based in Liechtenstein, by legislation which allows only the National Lottery to advertise in Great Britain.
In another Internet development, Sportingbet.com, the first company to provide tax-free on-line betting to British residents, will launch a global horse racing Internet site offering live on-line wagering 24 hours a day within 11 weeks. The company's managing director says the software necessary for a launch is almost completed. According to the announcement, British bettors will be able to bet on Australian and Hong Kong racing in the morning, races from Europe in the afternoon, and American racing at night. Legal bookmakers in Britain, who levy a 9 percent service charge that includes a government duty of 6.75 percent, are asking the government to reduce the betting duty to 3 percent in the next budget.