Channel Island lottery Jersey Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark

THE extension of the National Lottery to Guernsey is still at least two years away, according to Culture and Leisure. Find out how you can play now!

A lottery was first started in Guernsey in 1971 but merged with Jersey Lottery in 1975 to form the Channel Islands Lottery. This was run on a traditional draw basis but from January 2004 a Scratch Card Lottery replaced the draws. At any time two Scratch Card draws run in tandem. Each has a separate prize structure. Prizes range from £1 to £10,000.

 

The proceeds of the draws go into general revenue although historically the funds raised were used to meet the running costs of the Beau Sejour Leisure Centre.

 The Christmas Lottery is special and remains on a half scratch, half draw basis.  The proceeds of the draw go to charity and are distributed by the Association of Guernsey Charities.

 Tickets are available throughout outlets in Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark.  Larger prizes can be claimed from Sir Charles Frossard House or any of the main agents in Guernsey, Alderney and Sark.

 

Betting is allowed in licensed betting offices, most of which are located in St. Helier. There is no betting tax and bets can be placed on anything from the horses to the dogs. There is occasional on-course betting in the Island's racetrack. Jersey residents cannot buy UK national lottery tickets in the Island but they can participate in the more modest Channel Islands Lottery. Tickets are sold at most licensed betting offices or sub agents. Island residents also can play bingo, attend cinema racing and buy tickets to lottery events sponsored by any of the 169 clubs, associations and charities, which the Gambling Control Office has licensed to run these events. Unlike the UK, casino gambling is prohibited in Jersey. The Island is in the process of updating its 1964 gambling law to bring it more in line with the UK. The most recent change has been to allow the installation of gaming machines in licensed betting offices

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Fresh gambling legislation is going through Parliament which, if passed, would include allowing the lottery to be run in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The National Lottery Bill had its second reading in the House of Lords on Monday evening and was passed unopposed. But Culture and Leisure chief officer Dave Chilton said that any introduction here would be at least two or two-and-a-half years away. 'It is a good way off,' he said. The sale of National Lottery tickets in the island is banned, although it is well known that many people play via friends and relatives in the UK despite the fact that none of the money can go to good causes in the Bailiwick. Mr Chilton said that when it became apparent in 2005 that the UK was changing its gambling legislation, the Channel Islands decided to make a joint approach to have clauses put in so that if it was successful, the Bailiwicks, if they wished, could be part of the National Lottery. The bill has cleared the House of Commons and is now on its way through the House of Lords, although it still requires further hearings and royal approval before coming into force. Mr Chilton said it would be extended here only if Guernsey wanted it to be and would require the agreement of the States. And as a joint initiative between the islands, it would need the approval of both parliaments and changes to some pan-island legislation. He added that there was also the complication that lottery operator Camelot's licence runs out on 31 January 2009 and either will be renewed or someone new will come into the equation. Mr Chilton said it had already been agreed in principle that money raised from ticket sales in the Channel Islands would come back to good causes in the Bailiwicks. It would not go into the UK Big Lottery Fund but a special CI one. The UK would be happy with just the tax take. It would have to be decided what percentage from sales would go into the fund. In the UK, 28% of the takings currently goes to good causes. Mr Chilton said nothing had been signed and that everything was still on the table. So far, £17bn has been raised for good causes and 200,000 grants given out across the UK. The introduction of the National Lottery could well spell the end of the CI Lottery, which has moved to scratch cards and a bumper Christmas charity draw. Mr Chilton said that it was buoyant, with good scratch card sales and more than one million entries in the most recent Christmas draw. Live in Jersey Guernsey, Alderney or Sark?  Want to play in the UK Lotto or Euro Millions? You can and with with up to 3600% better chance of winning! click here to find out more