Staying with the British lottery industry, the rumblings of discontent are continuing around Richard Desmond’s Health Lottery. Voluntary groups are pleading with the government to adopt new legislation to prevent charity lotteries operating on a nationwide basis. The Gambling Commission doesn’t think the move is likely, as it would require secondary legislation being introduced alongside the Gambling Act 2005 – something that is already in the process of being amended.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, told Financial Mail: “We are aware that there are a growing number of such lotteries. We have no plans to introduce secondary legislation unless there is evidence they are having a detrimental effect.”
Much of the criticism leveled at Desmond is that his Health Lottery only donates 20p in every £1 to charity. This is in stark contrast to the Hospice Lotteries Association that hands over 60p in each £1 and the National Lottery that gives as much as 28p for each £1.