Gedling borough residents have reacted angrily to new Lotto rules that come into play this weekend.
From today the number of balls increases to 59 and the chance of winning the jackpot decrease to one in 45 million.
Players have reacted with fury to the changes, despite Camelot’s assurances that the new-look game will actually give them a better chance of winning and better odds of becoming a millionaire.
A new Millionaire Raffle will guarantee at least one millionaire per draw, the average winning jackpot is expected to be triple the current level, and the chances of winning at least £1million will be better than the chances of winning the jackpot on the current game, with odds at one in just under 10 million compared with one in just under 14 million on today’s game.
Players who match two numbers will win a Lucky Dip ticket for a future draw, which Camelot said would create an extra 1.8 million winners a week and increase the overall chance of winning any prize from one in 54 currently to one in 9.3.
In October 2013 the cost of a Lotto ticket doubled to £2 as part of a package that included some bigger prizes while others were reduced.
Paul Harper, from Mapperley, said the changes to the game meant that he would be spending his money at the bookies instead.
He said: “I’ve now more chance on winning at the horses I think. They’ve put the money up and reduced the odds. It hardly seems worth it now.”
Linda Taylor, from Bestwood, said she didn’t like the changes but will still continue to play.
She said: “I hate the idea of this new game but you can’t afford not to play. I know if I didn’t buy my ticket this Saturday, my numbers would come up and I’d never forgive myself.”
Camelot chief executive Andy Duncan said: “The changes we made to reinvigorate Lotto two years ago have been hugely successful, helping us achieve record total sales last year of £7.2 billion and delivering over £300m more for National Lottery projects than if we had done nothing to change the game.
“To build on this success, we need to carry on innovating to keep our games fresh and appealing.
“By giving our players more chances than ever to become a millionaire and with bigger rolling jackpots to play for, we’re making Lotto even more exciting.
“This will help to keep the game healthy and thriving in the years ahead – ultimately delivering even more for players and safeguarding the vital millions that Lotto raises for National Lottery projects every week.”
