The Camelot Group operates the National Lottery in the United Kingdom. A wide range of regularly-refreshed draw-based games that are instantly played and won are offered. The games that are normally played include Lotto, Euromillions, thunder balls, and Lotto hot pick. There are also National Lottery scratch cards, though only a small percentage of adults play this game. Instant win games (played on desktops and mobile phones) are also offered and they have a range of games and instant cash prices. The players buy their tickets online, in stores or use their mobile devices. It is estimated that more than three-quarters of the adults in the UK participate in the National Lottery with over six million people winning prizes every week (Camelotgroup.co.uk). Most of the games are played two or three times a week with draws also being done weekly. The prizes being won depend on the type of game being played with the highest prize being five hundred thousand pounds.
The prizes are paid as a lump sum and are normally tax-free. Of the total money, fifty percent goes to the prize fund, twenty-eight percent to good causes, twelve percent to the government as a duty, five percent to retailers as commission, five percent for Camelot. Camelot spends 4.5% of its share to cover its operating costs and retains 0.5% as their profit (The National Lottery). The lottery distribution board is charged with the obligation of awarding the money raised through the sale of the tickets to ‘good causes.' The projects awarded are in the arts, sports, health, charities, education, voluntary organization, and heritage (Almanac). It is estimated that over seven billion pounds are raised annually with over thirty-six million pounds being raised weekly (Camelotgroup.co.uk).
Besides making many people (winners) millionaires, the National Lottery exists to provide funds for the good cause projects (The National Lottery). More than four hundred and ninety thousand individual National Lottery grants have been made to the United Kingdom. It has helped transform the lives of people in the society. The funds also support many projects. For instance, the National Lottery made a contribution of two point two billion pounds to the2012 London Olympics and Paralympic games.
Perception of the National Lottery
The lottery has contributed positively to Britain. The fact that the National Lottery aims at providing funds for a good cause makes it beneficial for the whole society. With the funds being invested in the education and heath sectors, the welfare of the society is enhanced since children will have access to great education opportunities while at the same time receiving good health care. Supporting arts and sports also help develop the skills and talents of the young people outside the school. The raising of the funds is done for the greater good of the society (UK Civil Society Almanac). The National Lottery also helps transform the lives of the winners which is somewhat a good thing. However, larger percentages of the participants do not benefit directly or do not get many benefits from their participation in the jackpots.
However, there is the possibility of exaggeration of how much good has been done by the funds from the lottery. With the government being involved, there is a possibility of political influence when it comes to the distribution of the funds to some projects. The distribution bodies are bound to be easily influenced or compromised when it comes to the selection of projects to fund. Independence from the government could reduce chances of political influence. It is also hard actually to point out exactly where the money goes.
Works Cited
Camelotgroup.co.uk. "National Lottery Facts." Camelotgroup.co.uk. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 June 2016.
The National Lottery. "Where The Money Goes | Life Changing | The National Lottery." The National Lottery. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 June 2016.
UK Civil Society Almanac. "UK Civil Society Almanac 2012 / What Are The Main Trends In Lottery Funding?". Data.ncvo.org.uk. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 June 2016.
