Businesses contradict Maltco's claims over Super 5 frenzy

Businesses have complained of a drop in sales due to the increased Super 5 jackpot this past week, Sunday newspaper Illum reports.

23 March 2014, 1:24pm
by Jerome Caruana Cilia

1 min read

The increase in lottery jackpots has drawn heavy criticism from businesses complaining of a drop in sales.

As this week’s Super 5 jackpot soared to €1.12 million, the lottery frenzy is proving a bone of contention for businesses,Sunday newspaper Illum reports.

On Tuesday, a lucky punter won the mammoth jackpot, picking up over a million in the process. However, the increased jackpot drew a decrease in sales as punters opted to purchase lottery tickets rather than amenities.

Speaking to the Sunday newspaper, businesses have lambasted the lottery ‘frenzy’, complaining of putting a dent in their sales.

“Instead of purchasing everyday items and medicines, certain customers are instead purchasing Super 5 tickets. Ticket sales are adversely affecting sales, a feat which at the end fo the day is detrimental to the business,” shop owners told Illum.

However, a Maltco spokesperson rebutted claims that the jackpot increase is resulting in a drop in sales, instead arguing that the average spending of punters did not increase over the past week.

“The weekly spending of the average person amounts to approximately €4 and €5. Whenever the jackpot exceeds the €800,000 mark, the average spending does not increase,” the Maltco spokesperson told Illum.

Increases in lottery winnings have in several years led to a drop in the sales of businesses, particularly after in 2007, the government removed limits on jackpots. Speaking to Illum, Lotteries and Gaming Authority executive chairman Joseph Cuschieri insisted that there is nothing wrong with the fact that Super 5 has no maximum limit prize, provided that players are responsible.