“Betting, gaming and lotteries” are reserved powers to Westminster in the Wales Act 2017, so could be considered another non-devolved matter Wales would take responsibility for only after independence.
Although general policy with regard gambling and betting is worthy of a more lengthy post at a later date (it took me 4 and a half years, but I eventually got round to it – Vice Nation: Gambling), the National Lottery is the single most significant feature within this category, so I’m looking at it separately.
The National Lottery was established by the Conservative UK Government in 1994. It was the first truly “national” lottery, as before 1994, only smaller, local, lotteries were permissible. Camelot Group were the private company awarded the National Lottery franchise, and have successfully retained that franchise ever since.
One of the more important features of the National Lottery is the Big Lottery Fund, which raises about £600million to distribute to “good causes” annually.
There are numerous games, which generally cost £2 per turn. Roughly 25p in every £1 spent goes to good causes. Around 53p goes to the prize fund itself, with the bulk of that going to the jackpot winner(s). Winnings are tax-free.
You have to be aged 16 or over to play the games, and you can be of any nationality to purchase a National Lottery ticket (though online games are restricted to UK bank account holders only). These rules also apply to syndicates.
You all know how the main feature draws work. You select a series of numbers, which are then chosen at random. Depending on the numbers/sequence of numbers you match, you win a varied cash prize. The main jackpot is usually worth several million pounds, “rolling over” to the following week if no-one wins. Prizes have to be claimed within 180 days of the draw, or the money goes to good causes.
Scratchcards have different rules depending on which one you buy, but usually involve matching symbols/numbers etc.
The National Lottery is regulated by the National Lottery Commission quango, who in turn answer to the UK Department of Culture, Media & Sport.
