Channel Islands Lottery could offer £1m top prize

A new Channel Islands lottery is to be launched with a potential jackpot of £1m and £300,000 in smaller prizes.

One million £2 tickets will go on sale in Jersey and Guernsey on Friday.

The top prize will depend on ticket sales but organisers are confident they will sell out in time for the draw on 9 August, at Jersey's Battle of Flowers.

Profits in Jersey will go to the Association of Jersey Charities, while proceeds in Guernsey will go to the States of Guernsey.

'Law change'

Senator Alan Maclean, Jersey's economic development minister, said: "The summer draw is not only an exciting event but it is also an opportunity for islanders to contribute to the valuable, ongoing work of our local charities."

If all of the tickets are sold, an estimated £350,000-450,000 is expected to be raised, with the remaining £250,000-350,000 going on costs and agents' fees.

Deputy Francis Quin, the chairman of the Guernsey Lottery Advisory Panel, said: "This is very much a trial lottery to gauge the public's interest."

"If the summer lottery is well supported and the magic million is reached, we can investigate a law change that could enable Guernsey charities to benefit," he said.