The National Lottery consists of a draw of six balls from a total of 50
balls.
To win the top prise you need to get all six correct. The chances of this
happening are about one in 16 million.
To be assured of any prise you need to get at least three right. The
chances of this happening are about one in a thousand.
How is the money divided?
When you buy a £1 lottery ticket, the money is divided as follows:
50p - Prize Winners
28p - Good Causes
12p - Tax (Lottery Duty)
5p - Retailers
5p - Operators (Camelot)
The above values are approximate. Further details are posted on the National
Lottery website - see below.
Is the money for good causes divided fairly?
It depends on how the word fairly is interpreted.
There are broadly three definitions:
Good Causes money should be divided according to population.
Money for Good Causes should be divided by area according to the amount
spent on lottery tickets in each area.
Money for good causes should be spent where it is most needed - i.e. more
money per capita should go to deprived areas than to richer areas.
Given that the Lottery Survey found some evidence of higher per capita
lottery spending in deprived areas, it could be argued that definitions
2 and 3 are broadly similar.
The Lottery Survey also found some evidence that the types of Good Causes
supported is not those which lottery ticket buyers would like to see
supported - with spending on the Arts and prestige building benefitting
the well-off more than the poor.
Do deprived areas lose out?
Contact has been initiated with Camelot and the Department of Culture,
Media and Sport. It is hoped to add further details to this page later.
Does Wales lose out?
Contact has been initiated with Camelot and the Department of Culture,
Media and Sport. It is hoped to add further details to this page later.
What Organisations are involved in running the Lottery?
The National Lottery Commission
are responsible for overseeing the running of the lottery, protecting
the interests of players and maximising the money raised for Good Causes.
They are also responsible for selecting the operators for seven year
periods.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport are responsible for managing
the National Lottery Distribution Fund
(NLDF) i.e. money to be spent on Good Causes. The Minister appoints
the National Lottery Commission.
The Sports Councils of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland -
responsible for one-sixth of the money for Good Causes
The Arts Councils of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland -
responsible for one-sixth of the money for Good Causes
The Heritage Lottery Fund - responsible for one-sixth of the money for
Good Causes
The National Lottery Charities Board - responsible for one-sixth of the
money for Good Causes
The Millennium Commission - responsible for one-fifth of the money for
Good Causes (up to Year 2000)
The New Opportunities Fund - responsible for the remaining 13.3% of the
money for Good Causes
Camelot - the present and future operators of the Lottery.
This Website contains information from a variety of sources. References on
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