If You’re Not In…

at

…you can’t profit grotesquely from a stealth tax on the poor and foolish.

THE GOVERNMENT is considering offering the next operator of the National Lottery an extended licence of between 20 and 30 years and a significantly enhanced annual operator’s fee of up to €50 million to run the business.

Under the existing seven-year licence, An Post operates the State’s lottery for an annual management fee of just under €3 million.

Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin is expected to bring proposals for the sale of the licence to Cabinet early next month.

He hopes a longer licence and a greater share of the revenue generated from ticket and scratch card sales will attract international bidders and secure a large upfront payment for the exchequer, thought to be in region of €400-€600 million.

The contract will be worth €1.2 billion over a 25 year licence.

Likely winners: Camelot or the Australian operator Tatts Group. But probably not Paddy Power, because, under current regulations, the National Lottery precludes the tandem development of online gaming.

 

Next lottery operator could get annual fee of €50m (Irish Times)

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