The real losers in the Lottery

Annual results from Camelot showed ticket sales today are lower than they were four years ago.

We shed no tears that profits going to Camelot shareholders are falling as a consequence. But we have concerns that the money going to good causes will be reduced.

The introduction of the Thunderball and Lottery Extra draws have failed to lift sales.

The flagging fortunes reflect the public's growing resentment of Camelot.

While the Lottery Commission may have been prepared to overlook the fact that one of Camelot's former key figures resorted to attempted bribery to help it win the franchise first time round, the public has not.

While the Lottery Commission has been prepared to overlook the outcry during the "fat cat row" which exposed the vast salaries and bonuses paid to senior Camelot executives, the public has not.

In increasing numbers, members of the public are coming to the conscious decision that they prefer foregoing the slim chance of becoming millionaires to further lining the pockets of Camelot's shareholders.

Blame for the resultant impact on good causes must be placed at the door of the Lottery Commission for keeping faith with Camelot, and at the door of this Government for failing to keep to its promise of having a not-for-profit lottery.

Cleaning up cricket

WHILE it gratifying that English cricket appears to have distanced itself from match-fixing allegations, it is of little comfort.

The plain and simple truth is that every aspect of the sport is tainted by the scandal. We reflect on the great games of recent times and wonder whether the result was genuine, the performances 100 per cent.

And while the interim report from Lord Condon is a valuable document, it marks only the first step in cricket's attempt to clean up its act.

Only when the guilty individuals are named and banned from the sport for life, can cricket begin the painstaking task of removing the spectre of corruption.