Pools Companies – On Television Soon

Littlewoods, announcing its results yesterday, revealed optimism over pools advertising on television. Littlewoods has been lobbying for an easing of the rules to help it compete for money after the launch of the National Lottery later this year.

Chief executive Barry Dale said “I think we will get there in the end”. Littlewoods research shows that if the National Lottery achieves turnover of £3-4 billion, pools companies may suffer up to 10% loss of income. Although Littlewoods has increased poster spend, “We would certainly like to be able to advertise on television” said Mr Dale.

BIDDERS FOR LOTTERY TOO BIG

A Commons motion signed by seven cross-party MPs says that the consortia bidding to run the National Lottery are too big and should be forced to repay their start-up costs within a year. Operators in other countries are small economical affairs; the large operators, with expensive salaries and overheads will reduce the proceeds that go to good causes, says Ivan Lawrence, chairman of the Commons home affairs committee, responsible for the motion.