Sir, – The National Lottery spent the vast majority of unclaimed prize money on advertising while a mere 2 per cent was allocated for extra prize money (“National Lottery operators defend spending vast majority of unclaimed prizes on advertising”, News, December 10th).
While the company that runs the National Lottery laughs all the way to the bank, it is mugs like me (in a syndicate of 28) that shared a paltry €419 prize money for the year!
Puts it all in perspective really! – Yours, etc,
DEE DELANY,
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Raheny,
Dublin 5.
Sir, – That the chief executive of the National Lottery tries to justify spending €120 million on marketing, in a time where costs have increased right across every sector, when this excess could be given to housing bodies by way of interest-free loans or to councils to build social and affordable housing, is scandalous.
I, like many other citizens in this country, wonder if these chief executives have any understanding of the realities and struggles that people face?
No matter how you cut it, this is marketing gambling, which takes money out of people’s pockets (“Irish fourth-worst gamblers in EU as move online accelerates”, News, July 12th, 2021).
Why not use this excess in a more constructive and positive way rather than promoting something that can have a negative influence on so many lives? – Yours, etc,
CHRISTY GALLIGAN,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
Sir, – Have I got this right? Instead of National Lottery money being used to build swimming pools for communities to enjoy, we watch TV ads of actors playing people enjoying swimming pools and water slides? – Yours, etc,
SIOBHÁN NÍ CHUANAIGH,
Clonskeagh,
Dublin 14.