NLCB cashing in on Lotto fever

WITH THIS week’s jackpot rolling to $10 million, Lotto fever is sweeping TT. Thousands of hopeful players are vying for the chance to win the mammoth cash prize in the next draw, scheduled for tomorrow night. However, the eventual winner of this ever-increasing jackpot won’t be the only one to benefit — an official at the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) told Newsday there has been a marked increase in ticket sales in recent days. The official said this happens whenever the jackpot crosses the $5 million mark.

At present Lotto sales per day equal or exceed what the NLCB earns a week when there is a smaller jackpot, at about $1 million. The largest Lotto jackpot was recorded six years ago in 1998 — $15,286,000. This was won by a single player. Other huge jackpots were $14 million in June, 2000, and $13 million in May, 2002. Previously, the game was just known as Lotto, where players simply had to choose six numbers to win the jackpot. With Lotto Plus, players have to correctly choose five numbers and a powerball number to win. Although this has decreased the odds of winning, the electronic lotto game remains very popular.