Donations from lotto profits

More than 100 voluntary charitable and sports associations yesterday received donations of about Lm50,000 from the profits made by Public Lotto.

The money was presented by Finance Minister John Dalli who said the privatisation of the lotto would not affect the fund.

He explained that, empowered by a legal notice, the minister from time to time determined that a percentage of lotto winnings would go towards voluntary organisations. This was also covered in the new Gaming Act, which set up a good causes fund. After public lotto goes private, a percentage of the yearly fee received by the government will still be donated to voluntary organisations.