Small Illinois Lotteries
The premium-bond lottery and the football pools are not enough to satisfy the Briton’s gambling urge. In August 1956, the Small Lotteries and Gaming Act came into force and legalized the broad use of lotteries, Bingo and similar games by organizations established for charitable, sporting and cultural illinois state lottery purposes not connected with private gain.
Expenses are limited to 10%, prizes to 50%, and the balance goes to the sponsoring organization. The total value of tickets in drawing is restricted to £750, the first prize to £100 and the value of any ticket to £1. Before legalization one British newspaper in 1995 estimated that there were 20 million participants who wagered £50 million, or $140 million, annually at these small lotteries.
Newspapers devote entire pages to the pool, and handicappers list their selections forecasting the results of 45 or more matches. The advertising of the rival pools is prodigious, and even the sides of buses bear posters with photos of the smiling winners and lists of the dazzling six-figure jackpots which have been paid. |
