The Ugandan government has granted a 10-year license to Ithuba Uganda, a subsidiary of South African company Ithuba, to operate a national lottery. The move aims to generate public funds for social causes such as infrastructure, education, health, and sports development. The partnership is seen as a positive step towards strengthening relations between Uganda and South Africa. The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) will oversee the lottery’s operations. The initiative is expected to contribute to the economy, job creation, and essential government funding. Ithuba plans to invest $15 million to launch the lottery, with operations set to begin next year.
Paul Sweeney has been appointed Chair for 12 months starting August 1, 2023, or until a permanent Chair is chosen for The National Lottery in Ireland. He brings extensive experience from Northern Ireland’s voluntary, community, and public sectors, including Director of the Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust. Sweeney joined the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) in 1994 and held senior positions. Since 2017, he has been involved in trustee roles for non-profits focused on regeneration and culture. He became Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund’s Northern Ireland Funding Committee on June 1, 2021. The Chair’s remuneration is £40,000 per year. The interim appointment follows consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, adhering to the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code. No significant political activity has been declared by Sweeney in the last five years.
The Louisiana Lottery Corp. and the New Orleans Saints are teaming up for the 15th season to offer team-branded, instant-win games. The games include a $3 Fast Play game and a $5 scratch-off game with unique play features. The $3 TOUCHDOWN SAINTS Fast Play game with top prizes of $15,000 launched on Aug. 6, while the $5 New Orleans Saints scratch-off game with top prizes of $100,000 launched on Aug. 7. Players can enter nonwinning tickets into second-chance drawings for gameday experiences and autographed merchandise prizes. The games aim to provide an exciting experience for fans and are available to players aged 21 and above. The Louisiana Lottery has transferred over $4.5 billion to the state for K-12 education since its start in 1991. Further details and rules are available on the lottery’s website.
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Washington’s Lottery and the Seattle Seahawks are launching a ’90s-style throwback Seahawks Scratch ticket on August 7, offering fans a chance to win up to $50,000 instantly. Tickets cost $5 and can be purchased from authorized retailers. Non-winning tickets can be entered into three second-chance drawings for various prizes, including 2024 Seahawks season tickets and a meet & greet with Seahawks Legend Michael Bennett. The partnership between Washington’s Lottery and the Seahawks, ongoing since 1998, includes events like tailgates and fan experiences. Over $4.5 billion generated by Washington’s Lottery has supported state programs, including education and early childhood programs.
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The FDJ has revealed the top 10 most played scratch card games in France for 2022. These games are popular both online and at physical points of sale. The leading game is the well-known “Cash” ticket, which has consistently attracted over 1 billion bets annually since its inception. The game’s simple concept involves matching numbers with winning numbers for a chance to win up to 500,000 euros, with a 1 in 4 chance of winning.
Jackpocket now allows Massachusetts residents to conveniently purchase lottery tickets through their phones. Similar to courier services for food delivery, the app aims to enhance accessibility and convenience for playing the lottery. Partnering with Circle K, the app offers players their first ticket for free using the code HEYMASS at checkout. This service is available for various games, including Mega Millions and Powerball. Jackpocket ensures players are 18 or older before purchasing tickets. Massachusetts becomes the 17th state where Jackpocket operates. The upcoming Mega Millions drawing has a staggering $1.55 billion jackpot, potentially setting a new record.