Lottery may not be up to scratch

A JOINT approach to the UK Government over extending the National Lottery here could spell the end of the Channel Islands Lottery. Guernsey and Jersey have agreed to make the approach by mid-2005, but it is not certain whether any deal could pave the way for National Lottery funding for local projects or charities.

What appears more certain, however, is that it could mark the demise of the intra-island lottery, which has been running since 1975.

'I think it would be very difficult for it to survive because the prizes in the National Lottery would be so much greater, but we are not ruling it out,' said Culture and Leisure Department chief officer Dave Chilton.

But he said that nothing was guaranteed.

'For the National Lottery to come to Guernsey, there would have to be money coming into the local exchequer.

'How that money would be divided would be up to the States, but the precedent is that local charities have enjoyed substantial funding over the years and there is no reason to suggest something for them could not be forthcoming.

'But I don't believe that the UK Government would offer the Channel Islands the opportunity for access to its lottery funds,' he said.

'It's very early days and we have to sit down with Jersey and the UK Government to discuss the best way forward for all.'

The National Lottery issue has been considered before, but was put on hold as Jersey looked at a complete revamp of its gambling laws, including the lottery, casino and bingo. Proposals are due to go to its States early next year.

'That reactivated their interest in pursuing the National Lottery. They have had discussions with the UK Government and there have been some encouraging signs so they have suggested we make a joint approach,' said Mr Chilton.

'The Channel Islands Lottery has been declining quite considerably since the introduction of the National Lottery as Channel Islands residents have been purchasing tickets by a variety of means.'

He said the scratchcard format for the CI Lottery had been successful and sales had been up, but the historic trend for ticket sales was down.

Former Gambling Control Committee president Dan Le Cheminant confirmed approaches had been made to the UK Government but it had more important matters to deal with.

He said he would be very surprised if anything were decided before the next general election in the UK.

'We were always told when the Home Office was involved that a joint approach would be far better than one island going it alone,' said Deputy Le Cheminant.

He stressed the importance of concentrating on promoting the Christmas draw.

'It's so important that it's successful and if the National Lottery ever came over here, it would be vital that the amount of money that local charities received was protected,' he said.

* The top prize in this year's Christmas draw has risen by £10,000 and now stands at £160,000.