THE National Lottery has reported another increase in sales of its scratch cards and Lotto tickets in spite of competition from the British lottery, particularly in Border counties.
Sales rose by 4 per cent last year to £303.2 million, compared with £291 million in the previous year, the Lottery chairman, Mr John Hynes, said yesterday. He said there was some fall off in sales of scratch, cards in Ulster and north Leinster counties, where competition from the British lottery is most intense.
Further competition from bookmakers offering Lotto based business and social club lotto games also affected sales, according to Mr Hynes.
Reports of another successful year at the National Lottery drew sharp criticism from Rehab Lotteries, which claimed that most of the State's charities were losing out on funds to the Lottery. It claims that almost 10 per cent of money spent on the National Lottery is at the expense of charitable donations.
In a statement, Rehab called on the Minister for Finance to amend current legislation which prevents charitable lotteries from offering prizes of more than £10,000.
Over the 12 month period, Lotto, sales rose by 6 per cent to £202 million, indicating that over 60 per cent of Irish people played for its twice weekly jackpot prizes. Scratch card or instant games sales, however, remained broadly at last year's levels of around £101.2 million.
The overall 4 per cent increase was largely due to additional revenue from the first full year of its 42 number Lottery formula and the introduction of the "quick pick" selection system, according to National Lottery director, Mr Ray Bates.
The National Lottery paid out a total of £155 million in prizes last year and a record £100.7 million was redistributed by the Government to beneficiary projects, its annual results have shown.
Health and welfare projects received over £29 million. More than £27 million was distributed to youth, sport and recreation amenities. Projects in the arts, culture and national heritage area received £20 million while £7 million went towards the Irish language.
Its operating costs fell marginally due to savings in its printing and distribution operations throughout the year. Its spend on marketing was also scaled back in 1995 following an aggressive campaign during 1994 in response to the launch of the British lottery.
Salaries and wages paid to its 78 staff also rose, up 9 per cent to £2.1 million - an average of £26,923 - from £1.9 million in 1994. Payments to staff in accordance with national wage agreements and the regrading of some off its officials contributed to the higher wage bill, Mr Hynes said.
