Community causes in Abergavenny could benefit from Wales’ new society lottery.

The weekly ‘loto’ draw has a guaranteed jackpot of £25,000 - the maximum the lottery can offer under society lottery rules - with a minimum of 20% of proceeds being channelled to grassroots community causes across the country.

Jackpot winners will need to match 5 of 39 drawn numbers and other prizes will also be on offer for matching fewer numbers. Tickets are priced at £1 and players will have a better than one in nine chance of winning a prize.

Every ticket – unless it has scooped the jackpot – will also be entered free into loto+, a monthly raffle offering ten guaranteed £1,000 prizes.

Tickets can be bought online only by anyone aged 16 or over at loteri.cymru from midnight on Monday April 10, with the weekly loto draw to be broadcast on S4C at 8pm every Friday from April 28.

Operator Loteri Cymru is a Community Interest Company (CIC) chaired by WRU Chairman and former Wales rugby international, Gareth Davies. Its chief executive, Sue Carter, was previously a director at Yahoo!, and is a former BBC journalist, producer and editor.

A charitable arm, Hanfod Cymru, has been established to distribute a minimum of 20% of the proceeds from Loteri Cymru ticket sales to good causes. Hanfod is chaired by Mrs Deris Williams and its interim CEO is Marc Phillips, who was formerly Head of Policy at BBC Children in Need.

Local charities all over Wales will be invited to apply for support for community projects with educational, social and cultural benefits.

S4C is Loteri Cymru’s exclusive broadcast partner, with the rights to broadcast each draw on its TV and online channels, and to all programming around the good causes.

Gareth Davies, explained, “We’re launching Loteri Cymru to create a win-win for the people and communities of Wales, where individuals can afford to try their luck at winning a life-enhancing jackpot and local communities like Abergavenny benefit, too.

“Our research has shown that people really like the idea of a dedicated Welsh lottery that benefits local causes. We want Loteri Cymru to become a real part of life here, so that, as soon as possible, everyone in Wales will know someone who has won a prize or be aware of a good cause that has benefited.”