Hotly-tipped crypto lottery Lucky Block raced to a $140 million valuation within days of its launch, and is now targeting a Binance listing in February.
The blockchain-based lottery platform, which gives players better odds and more transparency than traditional lottery games, also oversubscribed its presale and hit its hard cap 11 days earlier than predicted.
The crypto-powered ‘People’s Lottery’ raised $5.7 million from investors in its presale.
Lucky Block’s completed CoinGecko and Coinmarketcap listings saw it valued at $140 million within two days of its trading debut – and it’s since grown to $200 million.
Further upward price pressure is expected on its total supply of 100 billion tokens.
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Just over 24 hours from being listed on decentralised exchange PancakeSwap, the price reached $0.001238 – a gain of 854% for investors who bought in the presale at a price of $0.00015.
Buyers who took advantage of the second presale price of $0.00019 are sitting on a 653% gain, Lucky Block says.
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Lucky Block completed its presale with 8,611 holders – a figure that has since topped 17,000 – as it looks to start trading on centralised exchanges FTX and Crypto.com.
The lottery platform is promising to disrupt the $300 billion global lottery industry – giving 10% of ticket sale revenues to charities and offering players better odds and more chances to win.
All holders of the LBlock token are eligible for dividend payments whether or not they buy lottery tickets.
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Lucky Block has given $5,000 to the British Red Cross as part of its ongoing commitment to good causes – a first for a crypto project.
Credit: Unsplash
It also boosts its environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials by running on the energy-efficient Binance Smart Chain, and gives every holder of its token a stake in the lottery.
Commenting on the launch, Lucky Block’s chief executive officer Scott Ryder said: “Achieving a market cap valuation of more than $140 million after raising $5.7 in our presale is an achievement that sets us on a path to hit all our roadmap milestones as we set out to challenge the traditional lottery operators around the world.
“We are now looking to roll out our – up until now – largely UK-focused outdoor advertising campaign to other global cities, as we pursue listings on major crypto exchanges.
“We should be on FTX and Crypto.com fairly soon, with Binance to follow, although we can’t say too much about that just now. Our social media channels will keep everyone up to date.”
James Fennell, chief strategy officer of Lucky Block, commented: “We think that it is time to turn the promise of blockchain and so called ‘Web 3.0’ decentralised networks into a reality at the level of consumer mass adoption.
“At the moment we are working hard to deliver on our vision for a global lottery open to all and owned by its players.
“Key to realising that strategy is our app launch in March. The app will make playing the lottery and tracking winnings easy, as well as being the place where token holders can see their dividend payments compound and track the passive income they are earning.
“As we continue to build out our offering, which at a later date will include gaming, NFT and metaverse products, we will work towards achieving one of our other strategic goals – advancing our mission to transform philanthropy, in part through setting up our global not-for-profit Lucky Block Foundation.”
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Full information about Lucky Block can be found on the official website: luckyblock.com
Featured image: Unsplash
Business
Manchester Airport reveals multi-million-pound plans for much-maligned Terminal 3
Manchester Airport’s Terminal 3 has become a bit of a meme of itself in recent years, with Mancs dreading a holiday that starts in the travel hub’s smallest terminal.
But now Manchester Airport has unveiled a multi-million pound project to totally revamp the space with a new entrance, more seats, new shops, new food and drink outlets, and state-of-the-art security equipment.
Set to complete next year, it’s part of the airport’s wider decade-long £1.3bn transformation programme, which has already seen Terminal 2 extended and redeveloped.
And now Manchester Airport has announced that Terminal 3 and Terminal 1 will merge into a much bigger travel hub to improve the passenger experience.
Visitors will first come across a remodelled entrance, as well as new security halls and departure lounges, with loads more space.
There’ll be brand-new security equipment to speed up passenger journeys, and 40% more seating capacity in the departures lounge.
A new 500-seat bar area with airfield views will be included in the revamped Terminal 3, plus an expanded 200-extra-seat dining area.
As for Terminal 2, phase one completed in 2021, winning the prestigious UNESCO-backed Prix Versailles award for architecture and design, with phase two set for completion later this year – that’ll bring the existing building up to the standard of the new extension and will include more than 20 new retailers, bars and restaurants.
CGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester AirportCGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport
Terminal 2 will host more than 70% of Manchester Airport’s total passengers, with the rest travelling through this new and improved Terminal 3 building that will include some of the existing Terminal 1 footprint.
Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said: “We are proud to connect the people of the North to the world – and our transformation programme means that our passengers will be able to enjoy an airport experience that rivals that of any European capital city.
“The work we’ve done in Terminal 2 is there for all to see – and we’ve already won the prestigious Prix Versailles award for its architecture and design. But until now we haven’t talked about our plans for Terminal 3.
“Moving to a two-terminal airport is giving us a great opportunity to use some of the existing Terminal 1 space to increase the footprint of Terminal 3. We’re doing that as well as making some all round improvements to Terminal 3 – so passengers will enjoy new security technology, more space, more seats, new retail and food and drink, and more.
“It’s another exciting step towards delivering an even better experience for our passengers and I can’t wait to see it progress.”
MediaCityUK has committed a sizeable new pledge to nearby Salford Youth Zone, becoming a key patron for the increasingly important community cornerstone.
Initial work on Salford Youth Zone (SYZ) only began back in 2023 but is already promising to become an important outlet for so many through the borough.
Set to open later this summer and now with backing from none other than the hugely influential entity that is MediaCityUK, SYZ’s inaugural year will hopefully get off to a wonderful start.
As its own city with the national media hub boasting a huge reputation of its own, its great to get more eyes on and profile behind the project.
Teaming up with Salford Council and Empower Youth Zone (EMPOWER) – the youth work charity behind the already established HideOut Youth Zone in Gorton and the soon-to-open SYZ – MediaCity has become the latest and one of their most generous patrons yet.
Pledging a huge donation of £100,000, MediaCity will be supporting the charity at large with an extensive volunteering and business support programme over the next four years at the very least.
As a Landsec Futures employability partner and influential hub for the creative industries in the UK, MediaCity are looking to work closely with SYZ and its partners to provide greater access in creative spaces and with local businesses.
Landsec (who have recently acquired full ownership of the MediaCity brand) are equally committed to creating places that deliver lasting positive impact for both communities and the environment.
As per an official announcement of the partnership, “It joins the growing EMPOWER patron community, funding vital services that enable young people to break down barriers, unlock potential, and build brighter futures.”
Salford Youth Zone – situated adjacent to Belvedere Road and Broadwalk in Pendleton – is set to open seven days a week, deliver more than 200 volunteering days each year, as well as offer completely free membership to support thousands of young people in the city and across Greater Manchester.
For those who have come across the exciting new ‘FRAMELESS’ exhibition over in Salford Quays, this comes not only in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery but SYZ itself in one of its first big activitations for 2025.
Here’s a whistle-stop tour of the £6.2 million youth centre and activities space.
Speaking in an official statement, MediaCity Managing Director Martin Chown said of the welcome new partnership: “Salford is an important part of our journey, and deepening our roots here reflects our commitment to enriching the communities we’re part of.
“Partnering with EMPOWER will help us continue to drive forward a thriving creative community while s upporting talented young people. MediaCity has become a cornerstone of Salford’s identity, helping the city attract leading businesses and driving investment into the city.
“It’s a bridge between Salford and the creative industries, and we want to ensure local people feel like a career in the creative industries is within their reach. EMPOWER’s arrival in Salford will make a material difference to young people and the wider community, so we’re proud to be supporting the team.”
Adam Farricker, CEO of Empower, went on to add: “Our partnership with Landsec is another powerful step towards our mission to support young people across Greater Manchester. MediaCity sits at the heart of the city, and we want our young people to feel connected to its energy and community spirit.
“Young people are full of potential but often need the right support to overcome the barriers they face and truly believe in themself. Together, with the MediaCity team and Landsec, we’re working to ensure every young person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to grow, succeed, and move towards a better future.”
With the recently unveiled ‘Content Studio’ to boot, it’s happening in Salford and another exciting event is also heading back to MediaCity this season.
The Manc -
1st February 2022 
