Harburg lottery

The titular head of the company was the king's grandson, Prince Frederick but the driving force behind it was John Barrington, the British MP for Berwick and a prominent Presbyterian Dissenter, who was given the post of sub-Governor.

The net profit after "management charges" would constitute the capital of the company in which losing ticket holders would be shareholders.

[2] Barrington's main task was to use his influence with the British government to allow the lottery to operate in England, without which the scheme would fail.

He was advised by senior ministers in the British Government that the scheme was neither prudent or acceptable but nevertheless pressed on, claiming the King's approval and backing.

The House of Commons Parliament, without a division, passed a resolution declaring the lottery to be fraudulent and illegal, condemned Barrington's use of the King's name, and ordered all ticket sales to be refunded.