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{{Short description|British lottery}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2014}}
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|odds = 1 in 2,118,760
|odds = 1 in 2,118,760
|games = 5
|games = 5
|broadcaster = {{Plainlist|
|broadcaster =
* [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]]
* [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] (until 5 November 2011)
}}
|url = {{URL|www.healthlottery.co.uk}}
|url = {{URL|www.healthlottery.co.uk}}
}}
}}
'''The Health Lottery''' is a [[lottery]] that operates on behalf of twelve local society lotteries across Great Britain. It was launched in October 2011 and runs five weekly draws on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Each week a different regional [[community interest company]] receives the funds, with 20% of ticket sale proceeds going to local health-related causes. It is operated by [[Northern and Shell]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15070628 Media group launches commercial lottery]</ref>
'''The Health Lottery''' is a [[lottery]] that operates on behalf of twelve local society lotteries across Great Britain. It was launched in October 2011 and runs five weekly draws on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Each week a different regional [[community interest company]] receives the funds, with 20% of ticket sale proceeds going to local health-related causes. It is operated by [[Northern and Shell]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-15070628|title=New commercial lottery launched|work=BBC News |date=27 September 2011|access-date=30 April 2020|archive-date=20 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720124525/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-15070628|url-status=live}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
The origins of the Health Lottery predate the [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|National Lottery]], to the failed [[National Health Service Lottery]] which had an abortive launch in 1988, before being declared illegal. The assets of the NHS Lottery were purchased in 2007 by Altala Group Ltd., a company run by Ian Milligan, a former employee of [[Camelot Group]], the operators of the UK National Lottery.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bridge Business Recovery appointed to find buyer for The Health Lottery|url=http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=260&pcid=69&cid=75&archive=yes|work=Business Money News}}</ref> Altala went into administration in 2009, shortly before it was due to be granted its gambling licence, and was purchased by Health Lottery Ltd.<ref>{{cite web|title=Buyer Found for Health Lottery|url=http://www.ccrmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2517|work=CCR Magazine}}</ref> After winning the licence, the Health Lottery was sold in February 2011 to [[Richard Desmond]]'s [[Northern & Shell]] group.<ref>{{cite news|title=Richard Desmond unveils the Health Lottery|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/feb/28/richard-desmond-health-lottery|work=The Guardian | location=London|first=Josh|last=Halliday|date=28 February 2011}}</ref>
The origins of the Health Lottery predate the [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|National Lottery]], to the failed [[National Health Service Lottery]] which had an abortive launch in 1988, before being declared illegal. The assets of the NHS Lottery were purchased in 2007 by Altala Group Ltd., a company run by Ian Milligan, a former employee of [[Camelot Group]], the operators of the UK National Lottery.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Bridge Business Recovery appointed to find buyer for The Health Lottery|url=http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=260&pcid=69&cid=75&archive=yes|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425231631/http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=260&pcid=69&cid=75&archive=yes|archive-date=2012-04-25|access-date=2021-01-07|work=Business Money News}}</ref> Altala went into administration in 2009, shortly before it was due to be granted its gambling licence, and was purchased by Health Lottery Ltd.<ref>{{cite web|title=Buyer Found for Health Lottery|url=http://www.ccrmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2517|work=CCR Magazine|access-date=17 November 2011|archive-date=23 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423012828/http://www.ccrmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2517|url-status=live}}</ref> After winning the licence, the Health Lottery was sold in February 2011 to [[Richard Desmond]]'s [[Northern & Shell]] group.<ref>{{cite news|title=Richard Desmond unveils the Health Lottery|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/feb/28/richard-desmond-health-lottery|work=The Guardian|location=London|first=Josh|last=Halliday|date=28 February 2011|access-date=16 December 2016|archive-date=9 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309045448/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/feb/28/richard-desmond-health-lottery|url-status=live}}</ref>


The Health Lottery launched in September 2011. Until the summer of 2018, the Health Lottery had operated 51 society lotteries across Great Britain. This structure was formally re-organised in July 2018, to form 12 new larger community interest companies (CICs) covering England, Scotland and Wales.<ref>[https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/special-features/first-ever-250000-health-lottery-15090576]</ref> The Health Lottery also re-organised its playing structure to ensure a minimum jackpot of £25,000, and shorten the odds of winning any prize (now 1 in 9.7).<ref>[https://www.national-lottery.com/health-lottery/prizes]</ref> In addition, the monthly Mega Raffle was introduced, in which one Health Lottery player wins a guaranteed cash prize of £250,000.<ref>{{cite news|title=First ever £250,000 Health Lottery Mega Raffle draw takes place on Saturday|url=https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/special-features/first-ever-250000-health-lottery-1951678|work=SomersetLive|location=Great Britain|first=Tom|last=Canning|date=30 August 2018}}</ref> The first Mega Raffle was drawn on 1st September 2018.
The Health Lottery launched in September 2011. Until the summer of 2018, the Health Lottery had operated 51 society lotteries across Great Britain. This structure was formally re-organised in July 2018, to form 12 new larger community interest companies (CICs) covering England, Scotland and Wales.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/special-features/first-ever-250000-health-lottery-15090576|title=£250,000 Health Lottery Mega Raffle on Saturday|first=Tom|last=Canning|date=30 August 2018|website=birminghammail|access-date=4 December 2018|archive-date=4 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204151530/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/special-features/first-ever-250000-health-lottery-15090576|url-status=live}}</ref> The Health Lottery also re-organised its playing structure to ensure a minimum jackpot of £25,000, and shorten the odds of winning any prize (now 1 in 9.7).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.national-lottery.com/health-lottery/prizes|title=Health Lottery Prizes and Odds of Winning|website=UK National Lottery|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-date=18 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018201831/https://www.national-lottery.com/health-lottery/prizes|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, the monthly Mega Raffle was introduced, in which one Health Lottery player wins a guaranteed cash prize of £250,000.<ref>{{cite news|title=First ever £250,000 Health Lottery Mega Raffle draw takes place on Saturday|url=https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/special-features/first-ever-250000-health-lottery-1951678|work=SomersetLive|location=Great Britain|first=Tom|last=Canning|date=30 August 2018|access-date=3 January 2019|archive-date=3 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103210718/https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/special-features/first-ever-250000-health-lottery-1951678|url-status=live}}</ref> The first Mega Raffle was drawn on 1 September 2018.


==Game Structure==
==Game structure==
The Health Lottery is drawn five times a week, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/health-lottery-results-tonights-winning-194222|title = Health Lottery results: Tonight's winning numbers for Wednesday July 12 2017|date = |accessdate = 2019-02-14|website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
The Health Lottery is drawn five times a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays. <ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/health-lottery-results-tonights-winning-194222|title = Health Lottery results: Tonight's winning numbers for Wednesday July 12 2017|date = 12 July 2017|accessdate = 2019-02-14|website = |publisher = |last = |first = | newspaper=Scunthorpetelegraph |archive-date = 15 February 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190215050415/https://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/health-lottery-results-tonights-winning-194222|url-status = live}}</ref> Participation in the game requires a minimum fee of £1. Winnings range from a free ticket to a jackpot of £250,000.


==Broadcasting==
==Broadcasting==
From launch, draws for the Health Lottery were broadcast live on the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] network during an advertisement break of ''[[The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor]]'', paid for by [[Northern & Shell|Northern and Shell]], and shortly after on [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]]. Draws are currently broadcast at around 9.55pm on [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.channel5.com/shows/the-health-lottery-draw/articles/health-lottery-results-on-channel-5|title = Watch The Health Lottery Draw on Channel 5|date = |accessdate = 2014-05-28|website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> It was initially planned to be hosted by [[Eamonn Holmes]]<ref>[http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/rss/1093269/Health-Lottery-kick-off-next-week-screened-5/ Health Lottery to kick off next week and be screened on 5]</ref> but as Holmes was employed by [[Sky News]], he was dropped due to a possible conflict of interest.<ref>[http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?p=53300972 Eamonn Holmes Quits Health Lottery]</ref> [[Melinda Messenger]] was confirmed as the host on 5 October 2011.<ref>[http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/214336/Melinda-Messenger-to-host-telly-health-Lotto-draw/ Melinda Messenger to Host Telly Health Lotto Draw]</ref>
First draws for the Health Lottery were broadcast live on the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] network during an advertisement break of ''[[The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor]]'', paid for by [[Northern & Shell]]; they were quickly moved to [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]], which was at the time Northern & Shell's subsidiary. Draws are currently broadcast at around 9:55{{nbsp}}pm on [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]]. It was initially planned to be hosted by [[Eamonn Holmes]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/rss/1093269/Health-Lottery-kick-off-next-week-screened-5/ |title=Health Lottery to kick off next week and be screened on 5 |access-date=28 September 2011 |archive-date=15 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015012702/http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/rss/1093269/Health-Lottery-kick-off-next-week-screened-5 |url-status=live }}</ref> but as Holmes was employed by [[Sky News]], he was dropped due to a possible conflict of interest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/1547608/eamonn-holmes-quits-health-lottery|title=Eamonn Holmes Quits Health Lottery|website=Digital Spy|access-date=30 April 2020|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106080511/https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/1547608/eamonn-holmes-quits-health-lottery|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Melinda Messenger]] was confirmed as the host on 5 October 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/214336/Melinda-Messenger-to-host-telly-health-Lotto-draw/ |title=Melinda Messenger to Host Telly Health Lotto Draw |access-date=8 October 2011 |archive-date=8 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008175641/http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/214336/Melinda-Messenger-to-host-telly-health-Lotto-draw |url-status=live }}</ref>


To celebrate the first anniversary of the Health Lottery, a new Wednesday night draw called "Win Wednesday" was launched.<ref>[http://www.worldlottery.net/news/health-lottery-launch-wednesday-draw.asp Wednesday Night Health Lottery Launches]</ref>
To celebrate the first anniversary of the Health Lottery, a new Wednesday night draw called "Win Wednesday" was launched.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldlottery.net/news/health-lottery-launch-wednesday-draw.asp|title=Wednesday Night Health Lottery Launches|access-date=8 October 2012|archive-date=11 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011014940/http://www.worldlottery.net/news/health-lottery-launch-wednesday-draw.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>


On 5 August 2015, it was announced that the Health Lottery would be extended to five nights a week, with previous National Lottery presenter [[Anthea Turner]] taking over as host of the new-look draws from 13 August.<ref>[http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/596380/Health-Lottery-Anthea-turner Everyone's a winner says Anthea Turner, the new face of the Health Lottery]</ref>
On 5 August 2015, it was announced that the Health Lottery would be extended to five nights a week, with previous National Lottery presenter [[Anthea Turner]] taking over as host of the new-look draws from 13 August.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/596380/Health-Lottery-Anthea-turner|title=Everyone's a winner says Anthea Turner, the new face of the Health Lottery|first=Mark|last=Reynolds|date=5 August 2015|website=Express.co.uk|access-date=30 April 2020|archive-date=2 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202125631/https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/596380/Health-Lottery-Anthea-turner|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Controversy==
==Controversy==
{{Update section|date=February 2017}}
{{Update section|date=February 2017}}
The game has been criticised for donating only 20.3% of the ticket price to causes, compared with 28% donated by the National Lottery. Spokespersons for the Health Lottery argue that the game will grow the market.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/sep/27/richard-desmond-health-lottery-charity?CMP=twt_fd/ Guardian 27/9/2011, Richard Desmond's health lottery branded a 'disgrace']</ref> Some attention was also given to the possibility that favourable coverage of the lottery in Desmond's ''[[Daily Express]]'' and the ''[[Daily Star (United Kingdom)|Daily Star]]'' amounted to disguised advertising,<ref>[http://fullfact.org/blog/daily_express_northern_shell_health_lotter_advertising_standards_authority-3007/ Full Fact 29/09/2011, Will the ASA take the Express to task over Health Lottery coverage?]</ref> which was reported to the [[Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)|Advertising Standards Authority]], who found the issue to be outside their remit.<ref>http://www.asa.org.uk/ASA-action/Adjudications/2012/4/The-Health-Lottery-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_173270.aspx ASA Adjudication on The Health Lottery</ref> The Culture Secretary [[Jeremy Hunt (politician)|Jeremy Hunt]] announced in October 2011 that the [[Gambling Commission]] would investigate the legality of the Health Lottery, after questions were raised about the way the lottery was being run and the cost to smaller lotteries nationwide.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/27/richard-desmond-health-lottery-scrutinised/ Guardian 27/10/2011 Richard Desmond's Health Lottery under scrutiny by watchdog]</ref>
The game has been criticised for donating only 20.3% of the ticket price to causes, compared with 28% donated by the National Lottery. Spokespersons for the Health Lottery argue that the game will grow the market.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/sep/27/richard-desmond-health-lottery-charity|title=Richard Desmond's health lottery branded a 'disgrace'|first1=Randeep|last1=Ramesh|first2=social affairs|last2=editor|newspaper=The Guardian |date=27 September 2011|via=www.theguardian.com|access-date=16 December 2016|archive-date=21 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021211729/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/sep/27/richard-desmond-health-lottery-charity|url-status=live}}</ref> Some attention was also given to the possibility that favourable coverage of the lottery in Desmond's ''[[Daily Express]]'' and the ''[[Daily Star (United Kingdom)|Daily Star]]'' amounted to disguised advertising,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fullfact.org/blog/daily_express_northern_shell_health_lotter_advertising_standards_authority-3007/|title=Full Fact 29/09/2011, Will the ASA take the Express to task over Health Lottery coverage?|access-date=28 October 2011|archive-date=2 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102061829/http://fullfact.org/blog/daily_express_northern_shell_health_lotter_advertising_standards_authority-3007|url-status=live}}</ref> which was reported to the [[Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)|Advertising Standards Authority]], who found the issue to be outside their remit.<ref>http://www.asa.org.uk/ASA-action/Adjudications/2012/4/The-Health-Lottery-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_173270.aspx {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629083537/http://www.asa.org.uk/ASA-action/Adjudications/2012/4/The-Health-Lottery-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_173270.aspx |date=29 June 2012 }} ASA Adjudication on The Health Lottery</ref> The Culture Secretary [[Jeremy Hunt (politician)|Jeremy Hunt]] announced in October 2011 that the [[Gambling Commission]] would investigate the legality of the Health Lottery, after questions were raised about the way the lottery was being run and the cost to smaller lotteries nationwide.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/27/richard-desmond-health-lottery-scrutinised|title=Richard Desmond's Health Lottery under scrutiny by watchdog|first=Josh|last=Halliday|newspaper=The Guardian |date=27 October 2011|via=www.theguardian.com|access-date=16 December 2016|archive-date=5 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805181316/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/27/richard-desmond-health-lottery-scrutinised|url-status=live}}</ref>


Camelot Group attempted to take High Court legal action to have the Health Lottery's gambling licence revoked in 2012, claiming that they had not received adequate protection from the Gambling Commission. Camelot lost the case, a verdict described by Richard Desmond as<ref>{{cite news|title=First ever £250,000 Health Lottery Mega Raffle draw takes place on Saturday|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/aug/22/camelot-richard-desmond-health-lottery}}</ref>
Camelot Group attempted to take High Court legal action to have the Health Lottery's gambling licence revoked in 2012, claiming that they had not received adequate protection from the Gambling Commission. Camelot lost the case, a verdict described by Richard Desmond as<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/aug/22/camelot-richard-desmond-health-lottery|title=Camelot loses high court action against Richard Desmond's Health Lottery|first1=Josh|last1=Halliday|first2=Mark|last2=Sweney|newspaper=The Guardian |date=22 August 2012|via=www.theguardian.com|access-date=2 October 2018|archive-date=2 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002215145/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/aug/22/camelot-richard-desmond-health-lottery|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{quote|“a complete vindication of all the hard work that has gone into launching The Health Lottery…if Camelot had succeeded in this case, they would have shut down lifeline funding to hundreds of health projects and charities. The charity sector would have lost out badly."}}
{{quote|“a complete vindication of all the hard work that has gone into launching The Health Lottery…if Camelot had succeeded in this case, they would have shut down lifeline funding to hundreds of health projects and charities. The charity sector would have lost out badly."}}


==Structure==
==Structure==
To circumvent the requirements of the [[Gambling Act 2005|Gambling Act]], the Health Lottery is not structured as a national lottery, but rather as twelve different society lotteries, each one representing at least one [[local authority]] area within England, Scotland and Wales<ref>{{cite web|title=The Health Lottery - Terms and Conditions|url=https://www.healthlottery.co.uk/terms}}</ref>. Each society lottery is licensed by the [[Gambling Commission]] and operates as an individual [[community interest company]], or CIC. Different CICs take turns in participating in a weekly draw so each week different CICs are represented and every region gets a share of the pot. Money is then donated to support health-related causes within their respective local areas. The Health Lottery ELM Ltd operates as an external lottery manager to oversee the society lotteries. The ELM charges a management fee of 0.5p in every pound, which provides the profit for the lottery owners. The allocation of funds to causes raised by the Health Lottery is determined by the relevant CICs and their partner charity, the People’s Health Trust, and not by The Health Lottery ELM Ltd.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Health Lottery - Terms and Conditions|url=https://www.healthlottery.co.uk/terms}}</ref>
To circumvent the requirements of the [[Gambling Act 2005|Gambling Act]], the Health Lottery is not structured as a national lottery, but rather as twelve different society lotteries, each one representing at least one [[local authority]] area within England, Scotland and Wales.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.healthlottery.co.uk/terms/|title=Terms & Conditions for Lottery Players - The Health Lottery|website=www.healthlottery.co.uk|access-date=30 April 2020|archive-date=6 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406212808/https://www.healthlottery.co.uk/terms/|url-status=live}}</ref> Each society lottery is licensed by the [[Gambling Commission]] and operates as an individual [[community interest company]], or CIC. Different CICs take turns in participating in a weekly draw so each week different CICs are represented and every region gets a share of the pot. Money is then donated to support health-related causes within their respective local areas. The Health Lottery ELM Ltd operates as an external lottery manager to oversee the society lotteries. The ELM charges a management fee of 0.5p in every pound, which provides the profit for the lottery owners. The allocation of funds to causes raised by the Health Lottery is determined by the relevant CICs and their partner charity, the People’s Health Trust, and not by The Health Lottery ELM Ltd.<ref name="auto"/> They usually support local charities and grassroots projects.


In 2010 this complicated structure was judged by the [[Gambling Commission]] regulatory panel to be "close to the line in respect of section 99 of the [Gambling] Act" and that while the structure was "capable of being compliant with the Act" it was "finely balanced". Concern was expressed that the individual lotteries were not to be combined into one ''de facto'' national lottery, as to do so would be a breach of the Act.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/90142/response/228239/attach/html/4/Health%20Lottery%20decision%20sheet.pdf.html|title=Decision of the Gambling Commission Regulatory Panel}}</ref>
In 2010 this complicated structure was judged by the [[Gambling Commission]] regulatory panel to be "close to the line in respect of section 99 of the [Gambling] Act" and that while the structure was "capable of being compliant with the Act" it was "finely balanced". Concern was expressed that the individual lotteries were not to be combined into one ''de facto'' national lottery, as to do so would be a breach of the Act.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/creation_of_national_lottery_the|title=Creation of national lottery The Health Lottery ELM Limited - a Freedom of Information request to Gambling Commission|date=19 October 2011|website=WhatDoTheyKnow|access-date=30 April 2020|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009210836/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/creation_of_national_lottery_the|url-status=live}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.healthlottery.co.uk/play-lottery The Health Lottery]
* [https://www.healthlottery.co.uk/play-now/ The Health Lottery]



{{Northern & Shell}}
{{Northern & Shell}}
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[[Category:Lotteries in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Lotteries in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Gambling in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Gambling in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Channel 5 (UK) television programmes]]
[[Category:Channel 5 (British TV channel) original programming]]
[[Category:ITV game shows]]
[[Category:ITV game shows]]
[[Category:Medical and health organisations based in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Medical and health organisations based in the United Kingdom]]

Latest revision as of 13:14, 14 December 2023

The Health Lottery
RegionGreat Britain
Regulated byGambling Commission
Odds of winning jackpot1 in 2,118,760
Number of games5
Websitewww.healthlottery.co.uk

The Health Lottery is a lottery that operates on behalf of twelve local society lotteries across Great Britain. It was launched in October 2011 and runs five weekly draws on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Each week a different regional community interest company receives the funds, with 20% of ticket sale proceeds going to local health-related causes. It is operated by Northern and Shell.[1]

History

[edit]

The origins of the Health Lottery predate the National Lottery, to the failed National Health Service Lottery which had an abortive launch in 1988, before being declared illegal. The assets of the NHS Lottery were purchased in 2007 by Altala Group Ltd., a company run by Ian Milligan, a former employee of Camelot Group, the operators of the UK National Lottery.[2] Altala went into administration in 2009, shortly before it was due to be granted its gambling licence, and was purchased by Health Lottery Ltd.[3] After winning the licence, the Health Lottery was sold in February 2011 to Richard Desmond's Northern & Shell group.[4]

The Health Lottery launched in September 2011. Until the summer of 2018, the Health Lottery had operated 51 society lotteries across Great Britain. This structure was formally re-organised in July 2018, to form 12 new larger community interest companies (CICs) covering England, Scotland and Wales.[5] The Health Lottery also re-organised its playing structure to ensure a minimum jackpot of £25,000, and shorten the odds of winning any prize (now 1 in 9.7).[6] In addition, the monthly Mega Raffle was introduced, in which one Health Lottery player wins a guaranteed cash prize of £250,000.[7] The first Mega Raffle was drawn on 1 September 2018.

Game structure

[edit]

The Health Lottery is drawn five times a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays. [8] Participation in the game requires a minimum fee of £1. Winnings range from a free ticket to a jackpot of £250,000.

Broadcasting

[edit]

First draws for the Health Lottery were broadcast live on the ITV network during an advertisement break of The X Factor, paid for by Northern & Shell; they were quickly moved to Channel 5, which was at the time Northern & Shell's subsidiary. Draws are currently broadcast at around 9:55 pm on Channel 5. It was initially planned to be hosted by Eamonn Holmes[9] but as Holmes was employed by Sky News, he was dropped due to a possible conflict of interest.[10] Melinda Messenger was confirmed as the host on 5 October 2011.[11]

To celebrate the first anniversary of the Health Lottery, a new Wednesday night draw called "Win Wednesday" was launched.[12]

On 5 August 2015, it was announced that the Health Lottery would be extended to five nights a week, with previous National Lottery presenter Anthea Turner taking over as host of the new-look draws from 13 August.[13]

Controversy

[edit]

The game has been criticised for donating only 20.3% of the ticket price to causes, compared with 28% donated by the National Lottery. Spokespersons for the Health Lottery argue that the game will grow the market.[14] Some attention was also given to the possibility that favourable coverage of the lottery in Desmond's Daily Express and the Daily Star amounted to disguised advertising,[15] which was reported to the Advertising Standards Authority, who found the issue to be outside their remit.[16] The Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced in October 2011 that the Gambling Commission would investigate the legality of the Health Lottery, after questions were raised about the way the lottery was being run and the cost to smaller lotteries nationwide.[17]

Camelot Group attempted to take High Court legal action to have the Health Lottery's gambling licence revoked in 2012, claiming that they had not received adequate protection from the Gambling Commission. Camelot lost the case, a verdict described by Richard Desmond as[18]

“a complete vindication of all the hard work that has gone into launching The Health Lottery…if Camelot had succeeded in this case, they would have shut down lifeline funding to hundreds of health projects and charities. The charity sector would have lost out badly."

Structure

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To circumvent the requirements of the Gambling Act, the Health Lottery is not structured as a national lottery, but rather as twelve different society lotteries, each one representing at least one local authority area within England, Scotland and Wales.[19] Each society lottery is licensed by the Gambling Commission and operates as an individual community interest company, or CIC. Different CICs take turns in participating in a weekly draw so each week different CICs are represented and every region gets a share of the pot. Money is then donated to support health-related causes within their respective local areas. The Health Lottery ELM Ltd operates as an external lottery manager to oversee the society lotteries. The ELM charges a management fee of 0.5p in every pound, which provides the profit for the lottery owners. The allocation of funds to causes raised by the Health Lottery is determined by the relevant CICs and their partner charity, the People’s Health Trust, and not by The Health Lottery ELM Ltd.[19] They usually support local charities and grassroots projects.

In 2010 this complicated structure was judged by the Gambling Commission regulatory panel to be "close to the line in respect of section 99 of the [Gambling] Act" and that while the structure was "capable of being compliant with the Act" it was "finely balanced". Concern was expressed that the individual lotteries were not to be combined into one de facto national lottery, as to do so would be a breach of the Act.[20]

References

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  1. ^ "New commercial lottery launched". BBC News. 27 September 2011. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Bridge Business Recovery appointed to find buyer for The Health Lottery". Business Money News. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Buyer Found for Health Lottery". CCR Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  4. ^ Halliday, Josh (28 February 2011). "Richard Desmond unveils the Health Lottery". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  5. ^ Canning, Tom (30 August 2018). "£250,000 Health Lottery Mega Raffle on Saturday". birminghammail. Archived from the original on 4 December 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  6. ^ "Health Lottery Prizes and Odds of Winning". UK National Lottery. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  7. ^ Canning, Tom (30 August 2018). "First ever £250,000 Health Lottery Mega Raffle draw takes place on Saturday". SomersetLive. Great Britain. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  8. ^ "Health Lottery results: Tonight's winning numbers for Wednesday July 12 2017". Scunthorpetelegraph. 12 July 2017. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Health Lottery to kick off next week and be screened on 5". Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  10. ^ "Eamonn Holmes Quits Health Lottery". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  11. ^ "Melinda Messenger to Host Telly Health Lotto Draw". Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  12. ^ "Wednesday Night Health Lottery Launches". Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  13. ^ Reynolds, Mark (5 August 2015). "Everyone's a winner says Anthea Turner, the new face of the Health Lottery". Express.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  14. ^ Ramesh, Randeep; editor, social affairs (27 September 2011). "Richard Desmond's health lottery branded a 'disgrace'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016 – via www.theguardian.com. {{cite news}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  15. ^ "Full Fact 29/09/2011, Will the ASA take the Express to task over Health Lottery coverage?". Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  16. ^ http://www.asa.org.uk/ASA-action/Adjudications/2012/4/The-Health-Lottery-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_173270.aspx Archived 29 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine ASA Adjudication on The Health Lottery
  17. ^ Halliday, Josh (27 October 2011). "Richard Desmond's Health Lottery under scrutiny by watchdog". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2016 – via www.theguardian.com.
  18. ^ Halliday, Josh; Sweney, Mark (22 August 2012). "Camelot loses high court action against Richard Desmond's Health Lottery". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018 – via www.theguardian.com.
  19. ^ a b "Terms & Conditions for Lottery Players - The Health Lottery". www.healthlottery.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  20. ^ "Creation of national lottery The Health Lottery ELM Limited - a Freedom of Information request to Gambling Commission". WhatDoTheyKnow. 19 October 2011. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
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