Odds are not good for the local lottery

GAMBLING authorities in Guernsey and Jersey are waiting for talks with the UK Government about whether the National Lottery could come to the islands. A Jersey report has indicated the likely end of the long-running Channel Islands lottery - despite a claimed increased in ticket sales this year. Gambling Control Committee president Dan Le Cheminant wants to keep the local draw, but is also waiting to speak to the UK authorities. 'We are still awaiting a response from the UK Government on whether they would allow us to be part of their lottery,' he said. 'The UK Government so far has had other matters to deal with and it has not been top of their agenda. How long it will take before they consider it I don't know. 'They are aware we are prepared to discuss the matter with them but so far they have not been in a position to discuss it. 'It's a matter for the UK Government to say whether they are prepared to go any further with any discussions and, if they are, we are quite happy to discuss it with them.' Deputy Le Cheminant said that if Guernsey became involved in the lottery, he would want to ensure the island got a good deal. 'I would want to make sure that we would get an amount of money so that we would be able to continue to support local charities.' The Jersey report on gambling, prepared for the island's Economic Development Committee by Salford University, has recommended that Jersey should continue to negotiate for the National Lottery. But if no acceptable deal can be struck, Jersey should look elsewhere for a lottery partner, it said. Deputy Le Cheminant said that ticket sales were currently buoyant and he believed there was support in Jersey for the local lottery to stay. 'We would want to try to keep our lottery for as long as we possibly can,' he said. 'Hopefully, we can keep it going. But, should Jersey pull out, clearly it's a matter we would have to discuss with our agents, but I hope it does not come to that,' he said. 'The important thing is we make sure people in the islands support our lottery - it's only by people's support that we can keep it going and we will endeavour to make sure there is a Channel Islands lottery.' The Jersey report, released this week, recommended Fort Regent as the location for the island's only casino. It estimated that the island could make £3m. a year in tax receipts from such an establishment. It is also estimated that between £26m. and £33m. would be spent each year on all forms of gambling in Jersey. The report projects taxable profits of some £15m. and a tax boost to the island of £3m. per annum. Guernsey States is due to discuss the island's casino proposals in the coming months - it is believed that the only bid submitted was for a £20m. development at the St Pierre Park Hotel but this has not been confirmed by the Tourist Board. * National newspaper reports yesterday indicated that lottery tickets could rise to £2 in a bid to boost falling profits. A ticket has been £1 since 1994.