CHURCH ministers have claimed the poor will be hit the hardest by a new lottery game launched in East Lancashire pubs.

They fear the Pronto lottery could lead to more gambling and put people on low incomes into debt.

However, landlords claim the game - launched in 2,000 pubs around the country this week - is just another form of entertainment for customers.

The new game works by letting punters for a £1 stake pick five numbers for draws - held every 15 minutes when the scheme is fully operational - which have £25,000 jackpots.

Lottery machine have been installed in several East Lancashire pubs and the draw results are displayed on special television screens in each premises.

Rev Keith Jump, methodist minister for Accrington, believes the new lottery will create false hope among society's poorest communities.

He said: "The whole concept of a lottery gives the impression that you can get something for nothing. The poorest people are most likely to spend the most.

"The new instant game increases the chance of addiction, causing misery to families."

His views were supported by Great Harwood's methodist minister, Rev Elizabeth Hodgkiss, who described the idea of a lottery as "wholly iniquitous". She said: "The methodist church is totally against the lottery and I am. They cause harm to the country and the most vulnerable."

However, landlords with the new lottery machines have dismissed the claims and say it is merely entertainment.

Tommy Delaney, who runs the Rising Bridge Inn, Rising Bridge, said: "I can't see a problem. We already have one armed bandits and quiz machines, and the lottery will just give people more choice.

"It won't increase the number of people gambling."

He added that 20 per cent of the money generated by the lottery will go to charities and landlords will get a small percentage of their pub's lottery takings.

Elsewhere, Darren Flanagan, who runs Muldoons, Manchester Road, Accrington, said: "I don't see it as a problem as a lot of people who come in the pub have a go at the gaming machines. It is a fun lottery.

"You still have your traditional pubs with tap rooms, but people want more from pubs. This is another form of entertainment."

The new lottery was described as a "social thing" by the manager of The Moorings, Bolton Road, Blackburn.

Steve Dobson said: "I think people tend to play on gaming machines if they have spare money in their pocket.

"The lottery will only be a social thing where groups of people get together and put a pound on each.

"It won't be a case of people spending £10 on tickets just for themselves."

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