By Victor Okoye

The League Management Company (LMC) in partnership with Britain-based Ofertas365 is set to launch AfroMillionsLotto in support of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs.

LMC’s Head of Special Projects Harry Iwuala, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that AfroMillionsLotto was a brand new lotto with a minimum jackpot close to N1 billion, adding that the lotto was due to be launched later this month.

“The lotto, due to be live later this month, has jackpots larger than all the lottery in Nigeria combined and the biggest available anywhere in Africa,’’ Iwuala said in a statement.

“All 20 NPFL clubs are to be branded with their own page on AfroMillionsLotto.com where people can buy tickets online for the twice-weekly draws, as well as enjoy a range of Instant Win games offering big-money prizes.’’

The statement explained that the benefit for the clubs was that each would receive a percentage of the revenue raised from their lottery site.

“The revenue generated will help the clubs to increase income to fund player development, support stadium and pitch improvements as well as community-based projects.’’

It said the LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko described the lottery as one of the most exciting commercial developments in club football in Nigeria in recent times and suggested that it would positively impact football financing extensively.

“The LMC bought into this partnership because of its realistic potential to revolutionise our clubs’ commercial operations, thanks to the money lotto will bring in.

“Lotto has proven to be extremely successful with English Premier League clubs and we hope to replicate its success here in Nigeria,’’ it quoted Dikko as saying.

Also, James Leppard, CEO of Ofertas365, was quoted as saying that the AfroMillionsLotto was a truly life-changing experience for the players.

“We are delighted to work with Africa’s largest and most prestigious football league in launching AfroMillionsLotto, which will offer players, whether they are football fans or not, the ability to win truly life-changing jackpots,’’ it said.

Ofertas365 Ltd is a company which helps football clubs and charities in emerging markets raise money through lotto.

The UK Company with headquarters in London operates AfroMillionsLotto.