GeoLotto
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| Region | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Launched | 2010 |
| Operator | Geo24 UK |
| Regulated By | UK Gambling Commission |
| Highest Jackpot | £1,000,000[1] |
| Odds of winning a Prize | 1 in 19.265 |
GeoLotto (previously known as GeoSweep) was a privately owned, online, map-based lottery game operating in the United Kingdom.
History
GeoLotto, formerly known as Geosweep, was created in 2010 by London based technology company, Geonomics. The idea started with brothers Henry and James Oakes who secured funding for a prototype location-based betting website, later funded by a £2 million investment.[2]
Tipp24, a publicly-listed company and lottery specialist, invested a significant amount into the product in 2012.[3][4]
In 2013 it was revealed that the Atlantic Lottery Corporation spent nearly C$2 million promoting Geosweep before cancelling the game. Despite having a "daily $250,000 prize" no one ever won it in over a year of draws. Geosweep's parent company was paid $8.7 million.[5][6]
Eligibility
- Players must be at least 18 years old to play.
- The games may only be played by residents of the UK.
- The games were exclusively web-based, requiring an Internet Browser to play.[7]
Current Games
Games that operated under the GeoLotto brand:
GeoLotto Game
Usually referred to simply as 'GeoLotto', this game was the flagship product of the site. The premise of the game was that a player could select squares to own out of a grid of squares overlaid onto a satellite representation of Great Britain (the map data was served by Google Maps). Each Square had an equal probability chance to win one of the various prizes assigned randomly at the end of the game. A Square was valued at £1 a week. The draw conducted every Saturday at 10.30pm, with the results announced at 11pm.[8]
Players could enter by paying for a Square for a fixed number of weeks or they could subscribe for ongoing entry until they decide to cancel.
Regulation
GeoLotto was regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, certified by GamCare and carried the 'Verified by Norton' tag.[9]
References
- ^ GeoLotto Website. "Homepage". Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ "Elevator Pitch: GeoSweep - betting now with added location!". The Guardian. 7 October 2010. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ Worldlotteries.org. "Tipp24 buys stake in GeoSweep". Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
- ^ Wired.co.uk. "Location-based lottery Geosweep launches". Archived from the original on 8 August 2014.
- ^ "Failed GeoSweep game cost Atlantic Lottery Corporation $2 million, documents reveal". Daily Brew. 30 September 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ "Atlantic Lotto spent $2M to promote axed GeoSweep game". CBC News. 30 September 2013. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ GeoLotto Website. "Responsible Gambling". Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
- ^ GeoLotto Website. "How to Play". Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
- ^ GeoLotto Webpage. "About Page". Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.