A small cross and five euros bet, then the Tipper from the Hessian district of Groß-Gerau would have become 2.5 million euros richer. On his tip sheet, the man had not put a cross in the lucky spiral in December, but the numbers of the note would have been worth a lot of money, says Martin Blach. He has been managing director of Lotto Hessen for ten months and has repeatedly dealt with cases in which players miss out on winnings because they miss out on a gambling opportunity. In this case, participation in the lucky spiral would have cost five euros – the tipster had decided against it.
Daniel Schleidt
Coordinator of the business editorial department in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.
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Overall, however, the Hessians seem to be willing to spend money on the dream of million-dollar happiness. In the 2022 financial year, Lotto Hessen recorded a record turnover of 745.1 million euros, almost half of which went into the classic 6 out of 49. For this, 410 million euros flowed back to the winners: 13 Hessians became lottery millionaires last year, 117 times six-digit amounts were paid out. The highest sum went to the Rhine-Main area, where a man was able to look forward to 13 million euros on April 2022, 45. In total, Lotto Hessen paid out 25.2 million winnings.
Lotto: not all players collect their money
But not all players pick up the money, in 2022 the unpaid winnings added up to over 2.5 million euros. The highest, unclaimed individual profit was 35,000 euros. Blach says such a loss can be avoided. Because many people still give their tickets anonymously – if they registered, Lotto Hessen could actively approach them.
After the game 6 out of 49, the Eurojackpot introduced in 2012 is the most popular lottery in Hesse, in which 18 nations in Europe have joined forces: The deposit amount rose by almost a third to 180 million euros. Alexander Sausmikat, deputy managing director of Lotto Hessen, assumes that the increase has to do with the increase in the maximum jackpot from 90 to 120 million euros. But the Soffortlotterie is also still popular, especially the scratch cards, which grossed 81.9 million euros, a good tenth less than in the previous year. Blach says scratch cards are a take-away item, for example at gas stations – and the drop in sales is an indicator that the money is no longer so loose with consumers.
Fewer and fewer lottery outlets
Lotto Hessen sells a good 80 percent of its notes through the classic places: tobacco and newsagents, supermarkets, corner shops. However, Blach perceives that these outlets, which are often located in rural areas, are finding it increasingly difficult, for example because of rising energy costs. Currently, Lotto Hessen has 1991 locations, at the turn of the year there were still 2015. 2500 jobs would be allowed in Hesse, but the number is currently not achievable, according to Blach. Lotto Hessen is trying to support stores by advising retail experts – and at the same time strengthening its online business. Revenue on the net rose by 2022 percent in 17, but the majority of tipsters sought the conversation in the acceptance point and the exchange about what you could do with a profit.
Meanwhile, the lottery company is trying to expand its position as a universal provider. This also includes the license for virtual slot games. The application for this has been with the gambling authority since July 2021, Lotto Hessen is still waiting for a permit. Together with this business and online casino games, which Lotto Hessen is also trying to carry out, according to Blach, the company aims to jump the billion-euro hurdle in sales in the medium term.
Last year, 147 million euros from the pot of revenue went to sports clubs as well as to social, cultural and environmental projects in Hesse. But despite the good causes, it hurts Blach when winnings have not been collected, as he reports. In order to prevent this, one resorts to large amounts also to unusual measures: Years ago, for example, posters with an appeal were hung up near the tipper's delivery point after a million-dollar profit. With success: The woman finally received her money.