A new educational raffle is introduced.
There's a new lottery in town - the Bildungs-Chancen-Lotterie (BCL) - in Germany, which aims to support daycare centers, schools, and educational projects. However, this new initiative has faced some criticism.
The Bildungs-Chancen-Lotterie was launched in Germany on July 3, with its first draw. The lottery is a joint effort by the Stifterverband der Deutschen Wissenschaft, the Deutsche Kinder- und Jugendstiftung, and the international organization SOS Kinderdörfer. The main objective of selling tickets is to generate funds for global education.
Each ticket costs 15 euros and is valid for four weeks. Draws take place weekly, and players can win cash and non-cash prizes worth up to two million euros. The smallest prize is 50 euros. Players can also choose between individual tickets or team tickets for up to ten players. Tickets can be purchased online. The odds of winning per draw period are 1:2,500,000. The proceeds of the BCL are divided into three parts - one third allocated for prize distribution, one third for tax administration, and the remaining third for global education. The primary focus is on daycare centers and schools, but individuals in need are also slated to receive support. Andreas Schlüter, Secretary General of the Essen-based Stifterverband, shares their mission:
"We believe every person in this world deserves the opportunity to develop their potential and experience personal happiness."
He further adds that they advocate for a comprehensive approach to education that goes beyond just school and vocational training, also including personal development, training, and lifelong learning.
Despite the good intentions, the BCL faces competition from established players like the German TV lottery and the Aktion Mensch lottery. The latter raised over 450 million euros for social causes last year, emerging as the leading charity lottery in Germany.
However, the BCL operators aren't intimidated by the competition. According to Schlüter, there's not yet a lottery specifically focused on education, and initiatives with innovative approaches often require more financial support. Regardless of the financial aspect, Kahl, Managing Director of the German Children and Youth Foundation, points out the pressing need for support as well:
"We all have a role to play to end this inconsistency where children's educational success depends on their social background."
Controversy and Criticism
Criticism of the BCL has arisen, with some claiming it's an attempt to "de-democratize the promotion of education." They argue that the definition of educational content and ensuring educational equality are responsibilities of the state, not a lottery's job. The Twitter portal "Bildungsradar" also labels the BCL a "lobbyist project." They say:
"It's alarming to see how education is being used as a pawn here, and the country of poets and thinkers is turning into a land of benefactors and donors."
In response, BCL operators have issued a statement. Heike Kahl clarifies that BCL doesn't intend to remove the state's responsibility, but rather complement it:
"We're just realizing that our democracy needs support, so to speak. This education lottery is an opportunity for many people to participate. It'll also impact the projects, as the topic of 'how do we remain good democrats?' will be considered."
The initial draw and number of participants for the BCL are yet to be revealed. It remains uncertain whether the new education lottery will become a significant force in the German gaming market, potentially joining the ranks of the major charity lotteries.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
