Massive Super 5 jackpot, miserable businesses

The financial situation may be causing a slowdown in some sectors, but sales of Super 5 tickets are thriving as punters try to get their hands on a minimum €850,000 jackpot which will be drawn on Wednesday.

Thousands have already bought a ticket in the one-in-850,000 chance of hope of bagging the top prize, one of the highest ever. The record prize was in December 2007, when it had shot up to €1.3 million.

Last week, Maltco bagged €775,000 in ticket sales to punters trying to guess the five numbers.

Lotto receivers are so busy that they are even switching off their mobile phones.

But Maltco's gain has dealt a blow to businesses.

"Businesses such as groceries' daily consumption are affected by this. People are not going to the shops," Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU director general Vince Farrugia said.

Whereas in better circumstances, people would use the money from second jobs to buy tickets, today's financial situation meant a limitation of "extra" income, so everyday purchases were affected.

Even the breadsellers are feeling the pinch as a result of the hefty Super 5 prize, according to Reginald Fava, honorary president of Republic Street Business Community Association.

Mr Fava insisted that businesses suffered whenever the jackpot exceeded €500,000. Other factors were affecting business, including the high water and electricity bills and the overall negative financial situation, he added.

Both Mr Farrugia and Mr Fava reiterated their concern that the prize was permitted to reach such a high sum. There should be some form of capping, Mr Farrugia said.

The popular lottery had a ripple effect on the vulnerable, especially those susceptible to gambling and low incomes, according to Rosalie Vella Piscopo from the Foundation for Social Welfare Services.

"People are even prepared to borrow money illegally regardless of the impact this may have on them and their family," she said.