While I as Minister for Finance have overall responsibility for the national lottery, the day-to-day operations of the national lottery are the responsibility of the National Lottery Company.
I have contacted the National Lottery Company and have received the following information. The main criteria for selection of a national lottery retail sales agent is as follows: location, type of outlet, opening hours, turnover, traffic-type of customer, number of staff, number of cash points, condition of outlet, proximity of other existing agents, general disposition of applicant, reason for wanting agency, existing scratch cards sales if applicant is seeking lotto, seasonal trade, credit worth, type of tenancy freehold or lease long-term, short-term, application experience in business and owner operated or staff managed business. The same criteria applies to all applicants. The criteria for selecting agents has not changed in the past 12 months.
At present there is no priority rating given to factors involved for consideration as a national lottery agent. The number of agents in one region roughly reflects the population of that region. These are subsequently reflected in the urban-rural selection, with the intention of making it possible for everyone to be able within reason to buy lottery products without having to travel too far.
At present there are 147 agents in County Mayo, 81 of which are lotto agents. Nine unsuccessful applications have been made to the national lottery for County Mayo in the past 12 months.
The current ratio in County Mayo for lotto and scratch card agents is 1:1,375 and 1:757 respectively.
