A number of changes are on the horizon for Malta's lotto games, according to the department's director.

Although the state lotteries are in general still popular and the department continues to make a healthy profit, Alfred Muscat admitted that some of the games that are waning, such as the traditional ‘Tiritombla', the ‘Super 5' and even the ‘National Lottery' will be given an overhaul and could even be replaced by completely new games.

The news comes as the department prepares itself for the eventual privatisation of state lotteries in Malta.

Despite the fact that some games have not maintained the same level of popularity, figures for last year show that the department in general fared well, with total sales registered standing at Lm21.5 million, and net profits reaching Lm6.6 million.

Mr Muscat explained that the traditional Saturday lotto had once again fared well last year, producing the major profits for the department.

"Net profits in 2000 amounted to Lm3.2 million with sales reaching the Lm11.2 million mark, or an increase of 4.3% over 1999," he said.

Another lottery which the director described as being enormously successful and very popular with the public is the new VAT receipts lottery.

This new lottery, which combines the two former lotteries organised by the VAT department for promoting the collection of VAT receipts, was launched last November and offers a monthly prize of Lm25,000.

However, Mr Muscat admitted that not all the games had maintained the level of popularity they reached in 1999 and that certain measures might have to be taken accordingly.

In particular, he highlighted the ‘Tiritombla' as one of the games that could have reached the end of the road, pointing out that sales were down to Lm448,000 last year.

"This game could very well be near the end of its life cycle and may have to be replaced by a completely new game," he said.

The director said that the department was also looking at ways of improving the National lottery, which could involve having less draws.

"With sales of Lm1.2 million, this lottery is more or less breaking even," he said. "But since most of the sales are made in the last three days before the draw, one has to study whether there is a way of improving this lottery, such as reducing it to a twice a year draw."
One game that perhaps surprisingly produced rather disappointing results in 2000 was the Super 5, which registered a drop in sales of 14% or Lm1.23 million.

Mr Muscat said that although net profits from the game still reached Lm3.1 million, the fact that its popularity waned last year meant changes to the format would be introduced from next month.

He explained that the drop was being attributed to the fact that last year, jackpots were registered more frequently, which kept the winning totals at fairly modest levels.

"In fact, in 2000 the first prize jackpot exceeded Lm100,000 on only six occasions, compared to 1999 where this figure was reached in 10 instances," he said.

The director admitted that it was evident the scenario was failing to create the necessary impetus for demand to sustain the turnover level achieved in 1999.

"It is therefore considered appropriate to effect changes to the game, which will come into effect as from the draw of 4 April," he said.