One of the best things about the UK comes from our cosmopolitanism. Nested so close to the EU, our choices in so many aspects of life far outstrip practically any other country on earth.
Whether looking at food, travel, business opportunities, and more, stepping outside of the nationwide doorstep is always a card that UK citizens have in their deck.
The same can be said for entertainment, such as the wide world of betting. This leads us to a common question we’ve seen circulating recently, in how it can be possible to play regional lotteries like the Irish lotto from home. The answer, as it turns out, is simpler than you might think.
Getting Started
Before getting into how players can engage, it’s necessary to first mention that the Irish lotto isn’t locked by region. This means that, no matter where in the world you live, from the UK to beyond, you can easily participate in the game without having to jump through any hoops.
While you’re not likely to see opportunities for playing the lottery down at the corner store, the online world is much more accessible. In simple terms, as long as you have an accepted online payment method, chances are you’ll be able to buy a ticket of such great lotteries like MultiLotto. But first, check the review about this brand.
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This system can be bought into with a simple credit card, though major digital payment systems like Neteller and Skrill are also accepted. Simply make sure you have currency available on your system of choice, head to a provider, make an account, buy a ticket, and you’re ready to go.
“Venmo, Square Cash, Skrill, PayPal, Appl” (CC BY 2.0) by Monito – Money Transfer Comparison
When it comes to checking possible payouts, winnings again aren’t likely to be shared at most corner stores. Instead, players can visit the same sorts of sites that offer UK Lotto draw results to see if they’ve backed any winning numbers. Websites like this are dedicated to listing the UK lotto results and payouts, but they can also provide numbers and results for the Irish game and the different payout tiers. Updated instantly, such services can streamline betting and payouts into one easy-to-understand location
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To Keep in Mind
If you’re new to the online betting space, or just the lottery, there are a couple of factors that you’ll need to keep in mind. The first is that to withdraw any winnings you’re still going to need proof of identity and a valid bank account. Often these methods can require verification data like bank invoices and pictures of photo ID, so be sure to have these handy in case you hit it big.
The second major issue to consider is that of device safety. Though the websites which allow betting are perfectly safe, the same might not be true about your computer or phone. For this reason, we’d recommend regular scans using free malware checkers to ensure your device of choice is free of unwanted eyes. Again, this is simpler than it might seem, so don’t be discouraged.
“Money Pile” (CC BY 2.0) by kenycoleartist
From this point, you know all you need to get involved. Just like in the physical game, the online method is remarkably easy to use, even for those not technologically inclined. Simply follow the steps carefully, be sure your device is clean, and you’ll be ready to go. Just consider visiting Ireland if you do win, as thanks for what their lotto did for you.
UK News
Elbow get behind campaign to save Jodrell Bank from closure
Danny Jones
Manc band Elbow are among the latest to get behind the campaign to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from closing permanently.
The Greater Manchester natives famously played a sold-out gig at the important scientific and cultural landmark for a very special live album recording well over a decade ago, and know all too well the site’s national and, indeed, global heritage.
Choosing the Observatory and the rare chance to perform a show in the shadow of the world-renowned James Lovell Telescope, it probably remains one of their most significant standalone UK date ever.
With that in mind, the local lads have been left just as worried by the news of its impending closure as everyone else, and have therefore issued a fresh appeal to help keep it open.
Posting a timely statement on social media, the group wrote: “Jodrell Bank has long been close to elbow’s heart. In 2012, the band played beneath the Lovell Telescope for one of the most memorable shows in our history.
“The recent news that funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network is set to end in 2028 puts the future of the scientific work at Jodrell Bank under serious threat. It is a remarkable place, with an extraordinary history, and one that continues to play an important role in science, culture and education.”
In addition to reliving clips and images from the historic live set all the years later, they also pointed people towards their ‘elbow – Live at Jodrell Bank‘ album documentary, which has now been made available online for the very first time as part of wider efforts to raise awareness around the cause.
Directing people to key online resources shared by the institution and astrophysics centre itself following their unfortunate update late last month, the push to not only find the funding but sustain support for the facility continues to ramp up throughout the world of science, arts and industry.
For anyone who somehow missed the news – 2028 being the current deadline handed down as per budget cuts across the sector – concerned parties here in the North West and all over the country have since started petitioning to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from shutting down for good.
In addition to being described as a “huge blow” to the field by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), some have even gone so far as to describe the decision as a form of “vandalism” when it comes to research and British culture as a whole.
Having also served as the host venue for the annual bluedot Festival since 2016, the multi-genre science and arts celebration could soon be forced to find a new home.
The battle is far from over yet, and the community has time to rescue Jodrell Bank Observatory from its fate, but it will take lots of money and more notable public figures to make it happen.
Once again, you can do your bit by signing the petition mentioned above right HERE.
Featured Images — Emma Farrer (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group
UK News
A rare piglet born at Chester Zoo could help save an entire species from extinction
Danny Jones
A very cute and rare new arrival at Chester Zoo could potentially save the animal’s future, and she might just be one of the cutest little piglets we’ve ever seen.
Say hello to Rana.
A tiny ‘babirusa’ – also sometimes referred to as the ‘pig-deer’ – Rana is an indigenous species found on just four small Indonesian islands, and one which is sadly on the verge of extinction, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Part of the threat to the population is due to African Swine Fever (not to be confused with swine flu), which reached these islands around half a decade ago and could see these precious little pigs considered ‘critically endangered’ very soon. But Chester Zoo are working hard to prevent this outcome.
Born this summer, Rana is the baby of mother babirusa Matano, who was herself born at Chester Zoo over a decade ago.
Fast forward 11 years, and she has descendants living in zoos all across Europe, as well as a whole new generation of children here in the UK.
However, she is the first one born in some time, with this particular phylum only ever birthing one or two kids at a time as opposed to a litter like most other pigs.
Described as being like grapefruit “only with legs”, she may be small for now, but she’s growing fast and carries the weight of big hopes and expectations for the rest of her kind.
Chester Zoo conservationists are currently working with partners to protect wild babirusa populations through Action Indonesia‘s Global Species Management Plans.
Helping design camera-trapping projects to monitor babirusas on Sulawesi, and working with other organisations to locate and protect surviving numbers, the aim is to share conservation breeding expertise, with results so far having bred at least 17 babirusas towards national cooperative targets.
For context, only on two occasions were babirusas photographed in the wild during the entirety of 2023-24, hence why efforts have been ramped up even further over the past year or so.
Amy Humphreys, a conservationist at the zoo who is working with Action Indonesia, the country’s government and other groups to combat their decline and rescue this species, says we are in “a race against time” to save these omnivorous, ‘charismatic’ and intelligent pigs.
She goes on to add that “babirusas are important to island ecosystems as they drop seeds as they forage, helping forest regeneration, and they are a key indicator species for overall environmental health, but their situation is bleak.
“We risk losing a truly unique species, one that’s an important part of Indonesia’s cultural and natural heritage and one of the oldest pig species still living […] Rana’s arrival is worth celebrating; her birth is a chance to shine a light on babirusas and show people why they deserve protection.”
It’s uplifting and inspiring stories like this that constantly remind us why we’re fortunate we are to have the award-winning zoo and conservation centre in our region; and if you were wondering whether we’ll be booking a trip soon just in hopes of seeing little Rana running around, you’d be absolutely right.