Scratch and win for life, based on the UK model - Euroslot - the independent voice of the amusement and gambling industry

Scratch and win for life, based on the UK model

Published: 15 July, 2009

Scratch and Win, based on the UK model, could be launched in the next few months in Italy. The winners will receive a payment every month forever. This is a new way of playing that will certainly fire up the Italians' passion for games of chance even more.

In May, receipts by the State Monopolies amounted to 4.3 billion euros. Total receipts during the first five months of 2009 are 9.52% higher than those for the same period in 2008.The lottery Consortium, controlled by Lottomatica, has the exclusive right to run Scratch and Win until May 2010. But, as reported by Corriere della Sera, there are at least three other groups that would like to get their hands on it: Sisal (which already manages the Superenalotto), Snai (betting and others) and the Greek company Intralot.

The case has now reached Brussels where the Commissioner for Competition, Charles McCreevy, has said no to an automatic extension "Unless this possibility was allowed for in the original call for tenders". The Finance Ministry, which controls the Monopolies, fears that in case of a renewal Brussels may open an infraction procedure. And in order to be sure it has asked for an opinion from the Council of State. The Council of State has answered that all options remain open: it is up to the State Monopolies to decide whether to leave Scratch and Win in the hands of Lottomatica or to announce a new call for tenders.

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