Scottish church denounces Lottery profits

Camelot’s profits from the National Lottery exemplify ‘unsavoury
greed’, according to the Church of Scotland.

Bill Wallace, convener of the Kirk’s board of social
responsibility, said: ‘Its strategy is offensive because it makes
vulnerable people susceptible. Those who are disadvantaged,
deprived or desperate are put under much more pressure than any
other section of the community.

‘The whole basis and emphasis of the distribution of Lottery
funds should be directed towards the disadvantaged.’

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations was more
measured in its reactions to Camelot’s £77 million profit
.

Chief executive Stuart Etherington urged Camelot to ‘reflect on
the National Heritage select committee’s report and ensure that a
higher level of its profits goes to charities’.

But the NCVO reiterated its controversial claim that spontaneous
donations had fallen as a direct result of the Lottery.