Dear Sir,

It is readily apparent that the new Forty Thieves are salivating at the thought of the National Lottery coming to fruition and who can get their sticky fingers into the expected bonanza.

So let's take a look at how it should be set up. Let's follow how it was done in Britain.

First, the Government of John Major franchised the Camelot Group to run the lottery from three companies who had also bid. Second, they issued a set of rules to be governed by a commissioner and a committee to oversee the running of the lottery — they having no political connections. This committee is to be changed every five to seven years.

The Government would have no further involvement, with 50 per cent of proceeds going towards the prize fund, 28 per cent to good causes — ie, sport and charitable causes (a similar list made up by the Government of Bermuda could include listed charitable organisations — 12 per cent to the Government as tax, 5 per cent to retailers who sell the tickets, and 5 per cent to Camelot as profit).

The books are audited by an independent international company with no attachments to the lottery. What intrigues most people that I know is why does it appear that only one company has been considered for casino gaming in Bermuda. Was it ever made public for bidders? If not, why not? And why is the Government getting so involved?

Yes, I'm for a lottery, but let's have it run as in Britain: honestly, no hidden agenda, openly audited and no political interference.

We live in hope.

DAVID GARLAND