Stuttgart (dpa/lsw) - The energy crisis, inflation and rising prices do not stop at the lottery in Baden-Württemberg. The money is no longer as easy for players as before, as the state Toto-Lotto GmbH Baden-Württemberg announced on Thursday. Last year, for the third time in a row, more than one billion euros were used. At 1.07 billion euros, the value is very slightly below that of the previous year. "We also notice that many customers have to tighten their belts," said Lotto Managing Director Georg Wacker in Stuttgart. According to him, without the attractive and increased maximum jackpot, sales would have fallen more significantly to possibly minus two to three percent.
"The higher a jackpot is and the lower the probability of winning, the more attractive our products become," said Wacker. "We live very heavily from our jackpots." The players would have stood in line in front of the acceptance points for the second mega draw last November with an increased prize of 120 million euros. "And the last jackpot phase in particular meant that we tore the line again," said Wacker. He spoke of a problematic but successful year.
The acceptance points have also suffered from price increases and staff shortages. However, according to Lotto Baden-Württemberg, the number of shops has remained largely the same. A large proportion of the stakes (76 percent) were handed over to the approximately 3,100 acceptance points. "Our acceptance points are and will remain the backbone of Lotto Baden-Württemberg," said Wacker.
