New Look - New Prizes

Tue 26 Aug 2008

The Isle of Wight Lottery is celebrating as it launches a new look and a big increase in the value of weekly prizes.

A new logo has been designed to help emphasise that the lottery is all about the island. The lottery doesn't only generate prizewinners every week - each winning a share of £2,500. Money raised from every subscription goes straight into a fund which is used to provide interest free loans to local businesses and increase job opportunities for local people.

The new line up of weekly prizes - £2,000, £300 and £200 - comes into operation from 3 September and is in response to feedback from subscribers. Special prizes will also be added during the year to provide further rewards.

The lottery is operated by the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Industry. Group marketing manager Zoe Stroud said: "Everyone wins with the Isle of Wight Lottery. We have listened to local people and there are now more substantial prizes. And everyone who subscribes can be confident that their money is directly helping the island's economy, and creating jobs for local people - maybe even their own neighbours.

"The lottery is for the island, and now is a great time for island people to sign up."

The logo and advertising campaign was designed by Aaron Rudd, who has recently set up a new design agency in Cowes.

The lottery operates on a non-profit basis, and all proceeds are directed into a loan fund. Loan applications are assessed by an investment panel and are provided interest free to start-up and expanding island businesses.

Since its launch in 2001, the Lottery has paid out about £900,000 in prizes to 900 people, and issued loans to more than 50 companies, helping to create about 130 jobs. The IW Lottery also supports the Start up Business Training programme and through this has given support to over 500 local people entering self employment.

Lottery tickets cost £1 a week, with no restriction on the number of weekly entries. All entrants receive a unique personal number, which remains with them for as long as they continue to play. Winning numbers are selected at random by a specially designed computer system.