Fortune lottery hits Kerala market
Aided Information and Research Services Private Ltd (CAIRS), in association with Essar Teleholdings Ltd, launched its online lottery brand called Fortune in Kerala on Monday.
Fortune is backed by the latest technology on all fronts including hardware communications and software. The principal technology suppliers are Editec S.A, specialists in the online lottery industry and leading supplier of online computerised wagering systems with installations worldwide, according to Mr Vikash Saraf, CEO, Essar Teleholdings.
He told newspersons that the Fortune brand will provide superior gaming experience, make more winners and provide higher prize payouts to consumers in the State. To commemorate the launch, a `Fortune Hunt' is being organised on May 12 on the lines of a treasure hunt, which has been customised to highlight the benefits of the Fortune Lotto game. The Fortune Hunt will invite vehicle owners to locate six points across an area of 60 km around the city with the help of a clue sheet comprising 49 clues. The winner will receive a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh and two Virgin Atlantic Airways upper-class return air tickets to London.
Mr Saraf said that the company has set up 470 terminals in various locations in the State, which would be increased to 1,000 within 12 months. It has also opened offices in various parts to provide good distribution service to retailers.
Attractive schemes have also been offered to retailers by way of commission and security deposit. According to Mr Zeev Leshem, Chief Operations Officer, the paper lottery market in India currently stands at Rs 50,000 crore and two million people buy lottery tickets every day, with 100 draws being held daily. However, lack of total transparency, limited marketing, low level sophistication of the product and lower prize monies had hindered the growth of the market. Therefore, the paper lotteries that operate currently cater largely to the lower income group of the population. "Online lottery will create a new segment in the market by appealing to the middle and upper middle income groups to participate in the lottery process," Mr Saraf said.