Controversial online lottery website launches in Ireland
Lottoland, a website that allows users play lotteries in other jurisdictions, has launched in Ireland. Based in Gibraltar and headed up by Betfair’s former Irish regional manager Graham Ross, the website offers consumers the chance to bet on the outcome of 28 big state lotteries without purchasing an actual ticket for the draw. If a player hits the right numbers, Lottoland pays out the equivalent prize money as if the customer had a ticket for the draw. In order to cover large payouts, the site takes out insurance policies with companies including Lloyd’s of London.
Mainstream national lotteries have claimed that sites like Lottoland erode their ability to generate funds for good causes. In Britain, Lottoland has clashed with UK operator Camelot for selling discounted tickets to the weekly EuroMillions draw.
The site has said its move to Ireland would allow consumers play the biggest and best lottery draws in the world including EuroMillions and the supersized US PowerBall and MegaMillions draws as well as the National Lottery. “This is great news for Irish consumers who love playing lottery generally but who are going to be even more excited to be able to play the biggest jackpots in the world all quickly, easily and safely on the Lottoland app,” Mr Ross said.
“Add in the great value that Lottoland offers, particularly the €2 line on EuroMillions, plus a US PowerBall special jackpot that is set to reach $499 million before the end of April and it is clear why we expect huge interest levels right from the start,” he said.
The Retail Grocery Dairy & Allied Trades Association (RGDATA) has voiced its concern over the growth in online lotto sites with no links to the actual licensed national lotteries. RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley said: “They offer punters the chance to gamble on the results of lotteries all around the world. These sites have no obligations to contribute toward good causes. This has huge implications for how people play national lotteries and I make no bones about the fact that they are a huge threat to retail agents selling legitimate tickets that do deliver funds to good causes,” she said.
Lottoland has stated it is currently developing a charity partnership programme to lead its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach in the market.
