Football pools firm Vernons is to launch a lottery-style football game in August.

The game, which will be played via National Lottery terminals, will be based on results of the week's football matches.

Vernons will be aiming to recoup some of its lost revenue since the National Lottery was launched in 1994.

In February the firm blamed the Lottery for 200 job losses, saying the market for betting on football had shrunk by almost two-thirds since it began.

Extra £200m for charity

The venture marks the first time a promoter other than Camelot has been given a licence to run a game as part of the National Lottery.

The regulator Oflot has been keen to encourage more companies to get involved in running Lottery games.

Acting Oflot director-general John Stoker said the new game would help keep the Lottery "fresh and exciting".

It will be launched to coincide with the start of the British football season and is expected to bring in an extra £200m for good causes.

'New dimension to Lottery'

Camelot will be supplying software, arranging prize payments, handling the winners and transferring funds to the good causes and retailers.

Vernons said the project had been in the pipeline for two years. Managing director Phil Jarrold said: "Our research shows that the game will have broad appeal among men and women of all ages.

"The live football element of the game will add an exciting new dimension to having a flutter on the Lottery.

"We are confident the new game will be a great success."

Details about the odds of winning and top prizes will be announced later this summer. No announcement has been made about what happens to the game at the end of the football season.

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©