Biznes Fakty
Lotto has been getting more expensive since October. Totalizator Sportowy is raising the ticket price and increasing the winnings.
Totalizator Sportowy is raising the price of a single Duży Lotek ticket significantly, as reported by „Gazeta Wyborcza.” The newspaper states that effective October 1st, the cost to participate in the Lotto draw will increase to 5 złoty from the previous 3 złoty. The new pricing structure has already been communicated to lottery retailers.
As per „GW,” last week, Totalizator Sportowy’s Regional Sales Representatives sent a notice to lottery retailers to prepare them for the new ticket prices. The letter, which was acquired by the newspaper, indicates that the final ticket sold at the old price will be on September 30th. „From the following day, the cost for a single ticket will be 5 zlotys instead of 3 zlotys, marking a 67% increase,” it states.
„The last (increase) occurred on October 9, 2009: from 2 złoty to 3 złoty per ticket,” „Wyborcza” recalls. Now, after 16 years, the price is nearly doubling.
Increased winnings
This price hike is accompanied by a rise in prize amounts. According to „Gazeta Wyborcza,” the guaranteed prize pool for the lowest tier will rise from 2 million PLN to 3 million PLN. Specific prize tiers will also see adjustments.
Previously, Totalizator Sportowy awarded 24 zlotys for a three-ball draw. Beginning October 2nd (the first draw under the new pricing), it will be 35 zlotys (a 46% increase), the article notes. TS estimates that it will pay around 100 zlotys more for a four-ball draw than before (approximately 100 zlotys). For a five-ball draw, it is expected to pay roughly 2,000-3,000 zlotys more (previously around 5,000 zlotys).
The „plus” fee remains unchanged — participation in an additional six-number draw with a one-million-zloty jackpot. „The price of such a ticket is one zloty,” „Gazeta Wyborcza” reminds us.
As the newspaper reveals, the entire initiative is being kept under wraps. „Branch managers have imposed a strict prohibition on sales personnel notifying customers of the new prices prior to the nationwide campaign,” states „Gazeta Wyborcza.” The campaign is set to commence on September 22nd with the slogan: „Now the accumulations are growing faster.”
„However, there are significant concerns regarding whether players will genuinely have a chance to win more. (…) The government has declared its intention to impose additional charges on Lotto 'millionaires’ and small players who purchase scratch cards and other lotteries. According to the Ministry of Finance, starting January 1, the tax on winnings will rise to 15 percent (currently it is 10 percent),” it states.
The company does not refute
We reached out to Totalizator Sportowy concerning this issue. „Various options for modifications are under consideration to enhance the attractiveness of LOTTO games,” was the response we received.
The company emphasizes that decisions regarding product modifications, including pricing, are based on comprehensive analysis. „All decisions regarding product changes, including pricing, are made in response to our customers’ expectations, informed by research and simulations, as well as discussions with sales staff who maintain regular contact with our players,” it stated.
Totalizator Sportowy reminds us that the existing rules have remained unchanged for many years. „In the case of the Lotto numbers game, both the guaranteed jackpot for the main prizes and the amounts for the lower prize tiers have not altered for 16 years,” it pointed out.
„Totalizator Sportowy is prepared to implement changes to this game in response to customer expectations. The final decision will be made soon, which will be communicated through the company’s official channels,” we read.
