The government hopes that an ’international lottery’ run from the Isle of Man will be a new moneyspinner.

The Department for Enterprise’s digital agency is ’seeking input’ on proposals to develop a Manx International Lottery.

The proposed lottery would see an exclusive licence issued to an operator under new legislation with an annual licence fee set by the Treasury.

But it would not be open for anyone in the world to play. That would depend on each country’s laws.

A spokesman for Digital Isle of Man said: ’As with all online gambling operators, the successful operator will be able to offer its products to anyone in any country that it is legally entitled to offer to. It will be for the winning operator to determine its markets.’

Pressed on whether the government had a list now of which countries would be open to an ’international lottery’, the e-gaming team and the Gambling Supervision Commission said the markets that could participate would be entirely dependent on the successful operator.

That operator would be responsible for running the lottery and where it was legally entitled to operate, so at this stage of expressions of interest and feasibility testing the government could not definitively say who could and could not play as the answer would be different between individual operators.

The operator would be solely responsible and accountable for the operation of the lottery, guaranteeing prize amounts and ensuring payouts.

So, how would the Manx taxpayer benefit from the creation of an ’international lottery’?

The operator would be responsible for guaranteeing prize amounts, funds and guaranteed jackpots, and for ensuring pay-outs.

A percentage of sales - determined under a concession agreement - will be allocated to the operator, the Isle of Man Treasury and to local Manx charities and international good causes.

The rest will be allocated to the prize fund.

The contract would ensure that the operator establishes a new company in the Isle of Man with real presence to operate the lottery.

Technical infrastructure such as the draw system, core equipment and operational staff must be based in the island. This would create jobs here.

Minister for Enterprise Laurence Skelly MHK said: ’The development of a Manx international lottery could be a positive opportunity to raise the profile of the Isle of Man around the world, raise valuable funding for charitable projects, and generate additional income for the Manx taxpayer.

’The development of this new product would also further diversify the growing digital economy here in the Isle of Man, showcasing the innovation and commitment to the sector as well as adding local jobs and expertise.

’There are a number of "national" lotteries around the world, so we are issuing this initial notice as an exercise to fully understand the feasibility of this new product and the potential of the market.’

To test the market for a potential Manx International Lottery, the government agency Digital Isle of Man has asking interested parties the chance to comment at www.gov.im/procurement

If the proposal proves viable and is to be progressed, Digital Isle of Man will start a full tender process in due course.

Digital Isle of Man, the Treasury and the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission came up with the proposal.