On June 20th, 2008, the arrival of Intralot to the Victorian gambling market will signal the end of an era for at least one Wimmera lottery store by next month. Owner Kevin Anderson of the Donald Newsagency commented that he would be compelled to set aside the sale of scratchies, Wednesday Lottery, Tatts 2 and Keno games because of Intralot's $10,000 establishment cost and other fees of more than $100 a week which is unreasonable for small businesses like his. He added that he will also be forced to cut down on his staff.
Anderson said that the State Government had failed to evaluate on what will be the effect of their decision when they ended the fifty-four year old monopoly of Tattersall's and gave the license to Intralot. He urged other gambling outlets to reject Intralot, which can force the gambling company to change their unreasonable fees. He commented that he is disgusted with the brand new licensing conditions which will force all lottery outlets in Victoria to buy back games that they are dealing if they wish to continue to sell them from July 1st, 2008.
Mr. Anderson said that he is wary that the fees of Intralot would not stop from there. Intralot has recently announced that it will put up several of their games to the market and into supermarkets and convenience stores later on. Victorian Premier John Brumby commented last year that the state Government would earn $3 billion from Tattersall's and Intralot ten year gaming licenses. Premier Brumby commented that it would be given to Victoria's health services.
[22-07]
John Sullivan
