UK LOTTERY TO HALT OVERSEAS SALES

Online action whilst abroad to be stopped
 
Overseas fans of the British national lottery, and for that matter Brits who are overseas as expatriates, travelling or on business, will no longer be able to bet on their lucky numbers following new rules set for introduction next week.
 
The Daily Mail reported over the weekend that lottery operator Camelot will institute new rules next week requiring that players must physically be in Britain or the Isle of Man to play the lottery online, or even to make changes to their online lottery account.
 
Camelot claims that it is following the practice of most other countries, where it is illegal to buy a ticket for an overseas lottery.
 
Once the new rules are in effect, Camelot will refuse to pay out prize money to players where there is evidence that the ticket was purchased from abroad.
 
The operator was not prepared to comment on the number of overseas players who enter the lottery online, but the Dail Mail opines that the ruling is likely to affect tens of thousands of regular players who play while overseas, either on holiday or as expatriates.
 
Camelot uses location software to identify foreign internet service providers, which may indicate the user is overseas, and sends messages warning players about a potential breach of the rules. However, many companies in Britain use foreign internet service providers, as do considerable numbers of mobile phone users, so the use of a foreign provider does not necessarily prove a user is overseas.