Maltco Lotteries Limited has increased the jackpot of many of Maltco Lotteries’ games and reintroduced the Grand Lottery in a bid to make the games more “attractive” and “exciting”.
Bingo’s minimum jackpot has been increased to €250,000 from €50,000, while Super 5 players will have to select five numbers from a field of 45 instead of the existing 42 numbers.
Quaterno+ will be replacing the current game and will involve placing a bet on any five of the eight numbers drawn.
The minimum jackpot has also been increased to €250,000 from €200,000.
From Monday, the company will be issuing 300,000 tickets for the Grand Lottery which had been stopped by the Government before Maltco took over the concession.
The draw will take place every two months and will be televised on Friday evenings.
Each ticket will cost €10 and will contain 10 combinations. The first draw will be held on March 8, the eve of the general election.
Following an eight-year operation, Maltco Lotteries Limited has been issued with a 10-year licence to continue its operation of the National Lottery on an exclusive basis.
CEO Ioannis Katakis said the company was investing nearly €5 million in the latest state-of-the-art technology, terminals and equipment.
Dr Katakis said the new challenges will render the games more interesting and exciting for the players.
“Over 300,000 combinations are currently played on lotto every Saturday. The 300,000 tickets issued for the Grand Lottery will make for an interesting challenge for the players.”
And while the Grand Lottery’s €1 million jackpot is enough to make one’s head spin, Sedqa agency cautioned on the possible effects of such a raise.
“Gambling frenzy always increases in proportion to the size of the jackpot,” a spokeswoman from Sedqa told The Times. While those who do not normally buy tickets may still be lured into trying their luck when the winning prize is high, the vulnerable and those with a low income are more likely to gamble away substantial sums in the hope of winning and thus hoping to solve their financial problems at one go, the spokeswoman warned.
“However, the chances of hitting the jackpot are truly minuscule.”
When jackpots are high, there are people who forego buying basic things such as food and medicine, and spend their money on lottery tickets. Supermarkets and other village shops, including pharmacies, also reportedly experience a decrease in sales when jackpots reach a certain level, she said.
Sedqa therefore does not commend high jackpots since they will result in higher levels of gambling, particularly among those for whom the spending of money on such activities will continue to cause financial constraints on one’s respective household budget .
Is it a good idea?
In the meantime, The Times caught up with a number of players outside lottery booths to gauge their reactions.
John Vassallo, 68, from Qormi
“I don’t think it’s the right time for these changes. Instead of advancing, we seem to be regressing. In my opinion, they’ll be ruining everyday life.”
Gustav Spagnol, 86, from Cospicua
“These changes bode well – it’s good to have changes for the better. It’s good to have the Grand Lottery which we used to have in the past.”
Alfred Debono, 78, from Valletta
“There are way too many games. I won’t be playing Super 5 now they’ve increased the field of numbers to 45. There’s no chance of winning. Also, the money I’m spending on lottery tickets is not circulating within our own economy – it’s going to Greece. We’re their goldmine.”
Fiona Bartolo, 39, from Mosta
“I believe the changes and higher prizes are a good thing. We’re now like foreign countries.”
Jonathan Camilleri, 37, from Valletta
“Such high jackpots are attractive – I would be tempted to buy a ticket every now and then. That being said, I think on a national level, people are spending too much money on gambling and lotteries.”