Squabbles break out every time Lottery funds are awarded. Populist
causes claim there is an elitist bias, small organisations complain that
larger groups get the lion’s share, and vice versa.
In tackling these various complaints, the Lottery boards need to
consider their own public relations. If their deliberations were more
transparent there might be more widespread public understanding and
support for their decisions. Instead, the current set-up gives the
impression that the allocation of awards is nothing more than, er, a
lottery.
Of course, greater transparency might also lead to complaints that
applicants who are better at lobbying are more successful. But good
causes have always had to rely on PR and lobbying Disappointed punters
tearing up their tickets on a Saturday night will never know why their
number did not come up. But they should be entitled to find out why
their pounds 1 stake did not go to their favourite charity. Until they
do, every round of awards will be a PR headache for the Lottery.
