Lotto mania has not hit all of T&T as yet, even though the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) has set the jackpot at $30 million, the largest in the country’s history. In San Fernando, Debe and Ste Madeleine yesterday, several Lotto vendors recorded a poor turnout of customers.
Kamla Pope, the vendor who sold T&T’s largest, winning, $20 million Lotto ticket two years ago, said people were losing interest in Lotto because they suspected it was rigged. “I have my usual customers but they complain all the time that Lotto is rigged. I tell them if they want to play it is their choice but people don’t bet like they used to,” Pope said. She said, “They are losing faith in the NLCB and this is not good for business.”
At King’s Wharf, San Fernando, only a few people were seen outside Khan’s Lotto booth. Vendor Kizzy Williams said, “Things slow right now but we expect it to pick up tomorrow,” before the winning numbers are drawn at 8.30 pm. “Many people are sceptical about the Lotto. They saying that only one person will win this week.”
Kevin Nuckchaddy who went to purchase a ticket also contended that the draw was not fair. “There was a time when people used to run down bets but in the last few months nobody winning because they want it to be a big jackpot so everybody will play and they will create a hype. Last week the Lotto was $25 million and people who got five numbers without the powerball only got $48,884.60.”
Despite the scepticism, players promised to help the poor if they won. Moses Beckles, of Rio Claro, said, “If I win I will build proper houses for poor people, starting in my own community. I will go around the country and look for the poor and build houses for them. “I will also travel a little, tour the world starting with the Caribbean first,” Beckles said.
Champa Sookoo, of Princes Town, said she planned to build homes and buy properties for her children before offering financial aid to T&T’s children’s homes. Lisa Deo also promised to help poor children while Kelvin Teeluckdharry said he could not even begin to think how he would spend $30 million.
NLCB responds
An NLCB official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to make public statements, yesterday denied claims that the entire operation was a hoax.
“We are existing as a legitimate entity and it is not a scam. This is a very legitimate operation and after all of these years in the business, this question should not still arise,” he said. He said that sceptical customers were free to visit to witness the NLCB’s live draws if they were suspicious.
“We have always advertised that the public is free to visit our draws when it is being conducted. We have published the winning ticket with the numbers and identified the agent who sold the ticket. What more can we do?” he asked.
He also noted that the NLCB could not disclose the identity of actual winners because of the crime climate in the country but noted that the NLCB remained open to suggestions from the public.