Vincent Jennings, chief executive of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association, has said that it is unlikely that an increase in the cost of playing the Lotto will lead to a decrease in players.
Speaking to RTE's Morning Ireland, Jennings said, "No doubt any price increase when it happens does have that level of falloff, but I don't think that's going to happen - it's not as if this is an annual event where prices go up. It is nine years since there was any increase whatsoever."
Last week, the National Lottery announced what it described as a 'Bigger Better Lotto', with the cost of a standard two-line ticket rising to €4.
The move drew criticism from some quarters, with news outlet The Journal running the headline 'The Lotto’s about to get more expensive – and you’ll have less of a chance of winning' in response to the news.
But Jennings called the new structure "a great move."
"The Lottery has the ability to provide more fun through a bigger and better game, and retailers and the public at large will get in on the excitement, and good causes will benefit from this," he said.
Last week, the National Lottery's Agents Council, which includes members from the CSNA, RGDATA, the Irish Postmasters Union and NFRN, issued a statement that said, “Time does not stand still, Lotto constantly needs revision and revitalising. As representative members of the retail trade associations, we believe this new game offers our customers bigger Jackpots, enhanced prize levels and new ways to win."
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Stephen Wynne-Jones
