In November last year, a California resident Edwin Castro broke the world record to win $2.05 billion close to (Sh280 billion) lottery.
He won the amount from a $2 (Sh280) Powerball ticket after matching six correct figures: 10, 33, 41, 47, 56 and a Powerball of 10.
Although this event happened thousands of miles away, several Kenyans who have been in the international gaming industry for over a decade played a significant role, and they got inspired.
"That is how LottoPawa, a low ticket size lottery of Sh60 with a stake of up to Sh200 million came about,''says Peter Muturi, the firm's head of operations.
He adds that LottoPawa follows international standards in its two weekly draws, with random numbers generated by renowned firms like Powerball and Euro Millions.
" We offer responsible and low cost gaming options for players across all economic blocs. Our system has personal sensor tools to limit the number of times a single person can play. Those below 18 years cannot be on boarded''.
The platform offers a player multiple winning options, with the ultimate winner going home with Sh200 million, Sh20 million for the second winner, third winner Sh2 million while the least one goes home with Sh2,000.
In total, there are eight prize tiers, for the lowest of which it is sufficient to match two of the main numbers in order to win.
Launched in April, LottoPawa has seen several people win and is expected to create alternative income generating activities for kiosk owners and community bright spots.
Mutori told the Star that every shop owner can become an agent and sell lottery tickets for LottoPawa.
Agents earn a 10 per cent commission on every lottery ticket sold.
"Most importantly, if a lotto player buys his first lottery ticket in your shop, you will get commissions on his future purchases during the next 24 months – even if that lotto player buys his tickets online,'' Muturi said.
To become an agent, one needs to provide information about the business and location.
"Once your agent application has been approved, you can log in to your agent account. You will be able to see your sales reports and other functions,'' he said
The recruit is then provided with information about how to process ticket sales using mobile phone, given promotional materials needed to start selling tickets
Muturi says that the most basic setup to start selling lottery tickets is a smartphone, a plan for mobile data, and a simple portable ticket printer with Bluetooth.
The firm is piloting the vendor programme in Nairobi, with the plan to rollout across the country in coming months.
LottoPawa is in support of the government's lottery agenda aimed at sinking funds into charities and sports.
"We have identified several charities in the country. We will be supporting the less privileged.
Early this year,the government announced plans to set up a National Lottery to shore up funding to sports, culture and arts.
Proceeds from the National Lottery are expected to boost current allocations to the sector under the Sports Arts and Social Development Fund which draws the bulk of its funding from proceeds from betting, gaming and lotteries.
Currently, the government’s only route to gaming, lottery and betting revenues has been through taxation from which proceeds flow to the Sports Arts and Social Development Fund which is tasked with providing funding to support the development and promotion of sports, arts and social development.
In the financial year ended in June 2022, Treasury grossed Sh3.294 billion as gaming revenues while the exchequer hopes to net Sh15 billion from the industry this year.
Muturi and his team hopes to grow LottoPawa to the levels of Power Ball and Euro Million some day.
