TATTERSALL'S 54-year stranglehold on the lucrative Victorian lottery licence is set to end. While Tattersall's retains the lion's share of the $1.2 billion-a-year market, Greek gambling giant Intralot has been awarded a licence to operate scratchies.
Premier John Brumby said the Government had accepted the determination of the Minister for Gaming, Tony Robinson, to award 10 year licences to Tattersall's and Intralot.
"The determination followed recommendations of the Lottery Licences Review Steering Committee, whose process was endorsed by the Independent Review Panel headed by retired Federal Court judge Ron Merkel, QC," Mr Brumby said.
Under the new 10-year licence arrangements, which come into effect from 1 July 2008, Tattersall's will continue to operate lottery products such as Saturday Lotto, Oz Lotto and Powerball, while a new entrant into the Australian market, Intralot, has been awarded the licence to operate instant lotteries, known as scratchies.
"The awarding of these licences has introduced competition into the lottery industry in Victoria for the first time," Mr Brumby said.
"In 2004, the Victorian Government commenced an extensive review of the public lotteries licence and, following an exhaustive assessment process, we have achieved a result which serves the public interest and represents best value for Victorians.
"The estimated revenue of more than $3 billion over 10 years from these new lottery licences will go directly into Victoria's health services.
"This competition will ensure a better return to Victoria over the next 10 years than if an exclusive licence had been awarded to one company.
"Victorians who buy a weekly lotto ticket probably won't notice much change - lotto tickets will still be available from a wide range of outlets throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria.
"But they will start to notice a more comprehensive and diverse mix of products and changes in retail networks from next year.
"Both Tattersall's and Intralot have new product ideas and new distribution methods that will provide greater convenience and choice for Victorians."
The Minister for Gaming, Tony Robinson, said his decision was based on the public interest, pursuant to the Gambling Regulation Amendment Act 2007 and took account of the capacity, technical competence, financial resources and repute of applicants.
"The public interest is well served by an outcome that delivers value for taxpayers, diversity and competition in the industry and continues ease of access to the products," Mr Robinson said.
"This review process has been overseen by the Independent Review Panel, chaired by retired Federal Court judge, Mr Ron Merkel, QC. Share this article
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