Lottery is way better than timer
More competition? Yes, but no mindlessly clicking for a day and to lose it to random lucky one.
Just for the information, I have my own small plot and FC have their own plot. However, camping at the timer is one of the most frustrating experience. A lottery may cause higher competition but it save hours and hours of valuable play time for the player to actually enjoy the game rather that sitting there doing nothing.
I am all in favour of lottery system and scrap the terrible timer