News • 5 January 2003

Increase in Lotto sales despite L-Istrina’s astounding collection

By Ray Abdilla

SAN GWANN - Rumours that people preferred to bet less on Lotto to help l-Istrina’s cause were quashed by the Public Lotto Department when it was revealed that there was an increase of Lm11,000 in lotto sales when compared with the average Saturday betting. This means that there was approximately a five per cent increase in lotto ticket sales last Saturday week.

Just under Lm900,000 was collected during the 11-hour L-Istrina campaign, dubbed by many as the collection of the year. Talk was that there were many people, habitual lotto punters, who would change their habit only for a week to help in a just cause. There were thousands of prizes to be won which made L-Istrina a better attraction.

Director of Lotto, Mr Alfred Muscat said that on the contrary, lotto sales increased and this was expected. "It is true that thousands of Liri were donated to a just cause but during the Christmas period people tend to bet more. Even the Super 5 did well and we have no complaints at all," Mr Muscat said.

The beneficiaries of the funds raised during the telethon were the Community Chest Fund, Razzett-tal Hbiberija, Life Cycle - Renal Unit, Jesuits' Refugee Services and Missionary Movement Gesu fil-Proxmu for children infected with Aids in Brazil.

Last year, Lm476,000 were collected during this programme, through donations by phone or presented live during the programme. Last year’s was an all time record only to be beaten by this year’s impressive collection.

Throughout this marathon, hundreds of personalities contributed by giving their time to receive donations by phone, as well as providing entertainment throughout the ten hours. Those who attended included the President, Prime Minister, members of parliament and around 400 personalities from the local TV, theatre and radio scene, footballers, and others.

The generosity of the Maltese people was also shown, with companies donating exceptional prizes including eight cars, a one-carat diamond, a luxury kitchen and a number of Playstation 2 with Harry Potter games.

Mr Muscat explained that the traditional Saturday lotto is faring as well as 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.

Another lottery 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, offers a monthly aggregate prize of Lm25,000.

ray@maltamag.com