Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 3

Written Answers. - National Lottery.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

296 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, the Government has to attach conditions to national lottery licence to ensure that more on-line lottery machines are available to the general public, particularly in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9906/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The Irish National Lottery began operating in 1987 under the provisions of the National Lottery Act, 1986. It is operated by An Post under licence from the Minister for Finance. State control is retained, while efficiency is encouraged by placing the lottery in a competitive business environment. The licence sets out the detailed framework in which the lottery must operate, but within that, the licence holder can operate with commercial freedom.

Under the existing licencing arrangements, the number of agents to be appointed to sell lottery tickets or to operate the Lotto game is a matter for determination by he National Lottery Company (NLC) subject to the consent of the Minister for Finance. The company advises me that the present number of agents selling lottery tickets is based on the level of population and is in accordance with international norms for sales of this nature.

All applications for agencies are considered in detail by the NLC having regard to such factors as their existing sales network in the area, volume of business, distance from the other outlets and so on. Although the NLC constantly reviews the network, a process which sometimes give rise to alterations, I am advised that the on-line Lotto network of approximately 2,010 terminals is currently satisfying player demand. In this context, there are no plans to increase the number of agents at present.