Here's a quick look at what will happen next for the North Carolina lottery, which received final legislative approval Tuesday:
BILL SIGNING: Democratic Gov. Mike Easley will sign the bill into law Wednesday.
LOTTERY COMMISSION: The governor, the Senate president pro tempore and House speaker will appoint the nine members of the North Carolina State Lottery Commission. The commission will hire a director, who with approval of the commission, can hire an outside firm to operate the games.
ADVERTISING: The commission must set advertising rules for games that can't "intentionally target specific groups or economic classes" and can't present the lottery as a way for a person to get out from under their economic or personal problems. Advertising also can't directly urge people to participate and must include information on responsible gambling. Advertising spending is capped at 1 percent of annual revenues.
FIRST GAMES: Scratch-off games may be available within six or seven months, said Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, D-Cumberland. Numerical games would follow. The commission will decide which kind of games will be offered. With the commission's OK, the director can enter the North Carolina lottery into multistate agreements such as Powerball or Mega Millions.
REVENUE SPLIT: At least 50 percent of total annual revenues would go toward prizes and at least 35 percent toward education initiatives. No more than 8 percent can go toward lottery administrative and advertising expenses and no more than 7 percent for lottery retailers. Expenses include $1 million set aside annually for gambling education and treatment programs.
NET PROCEEDS: Easley administration officials estimate that a lottery will generate $400 million in net proceeds annually. Half of the money would go to class-size reduction in early grades and to expand pre-kindergarten programs for at-risk children. Forty percent would go toward local public school construction. Ten percent would go for college scholarships of up to $4,000 annually for students in low-income families.
WINNINGS: Winners of less than $600 can receive their prizes at lottery retail outlets. The commission redeems prizes of at least $600. Daily drawings will be public and can be recorded for television or radio.
AUDITS: Security audits will be performed annually. The state auditor also will conduct annual audits. A performance audit will be performed every two years.
It sounds as if it will take at least a year before NC gets a multi-state game.
There is no excuse for this kind of poor legislative structure. "At least 50%" for prizes is great..."at least 35% for good causes" is a recipe for disaster - if you run at optimal instant ticket prize payouts there is not enough left to pay for retailer and lottery operating expenses (unless you do a BS deal like SC and have a third-world caliber lottery)
Oh and by the way, what audit firm has ever come in and told a BS (poor performing) lottery that they were a poor performer?
i do like how they're indicating that they are going to use ball drawings.
The part that has me worried is: The commission will hire a director, who with approval of the commission, can hire an outside firm to operate the games.
That means that they may hire an outside company that conducts computerized drawings.
I think North Carolina residents cannot start their letter-writing campaigns to their representatives fast enough, to educate them about how computerized drawings will be terribly bad for North Carolina.
I will certainly do my part. As soon as the new commissioner is appointed, I will send him/her a copy of the petition, along with the signatures, in order to make sure the point gets across.
But I can't be alone. Every resident that sees this need to write to their representatives - both house and senate!
I am actually in line to meet with the new lottery director for NC. I am a marketing development consultant and will be involved in the NC lotto. If all goes well, I will secure a permanent position with the NC Lottery Board. Anyway, I have been a Lottery Post visitor for quite sometime and have observed one common goal: eliminate computerized drawings! This site makes a great case and the petition caps it off. Trust me; I will do everything in my power to ensure the NC lotto uses the manual ball drawings. I will keep you guys up to date with my progress and any news I may run across during this process. Good luck to all!
Chris
I am actually in line to meet with the new lottery director for NC. I am a marketing development consultant and will be involved in the NC lotto. If all goes well, I will secure a permanent position with the NC Lottery Board. Anyway, I have been a Lottery Post visitor for quite sometime and have observed one common goal: eliminate computerized drawings! This site makes a great case and the petition caps it off. Trust me; I will do everything in my power to ensure the NC lotto uses the manual ball drawings. I will keep you guys up to date with my progress and any news I may run across during this process. Good luck to all!
ChrisChris,
That's fantastic news! Best of luck securing the position. If there's anything I can do to help, just send me a PM. Thanks for watching out for all the players who care about this important issue.
The part that has me worried is: The commission will hire a director, who with approval of the commission, can hire an outside firm to operate the games.
That means that they may hire an outside company that conducts computerized drawings.
I think North Carolina residents cannot start their letter-writing campaigns to their representatives fast enough, to educate them about how computerized drawings will be terribly bad for North Carolina.
I will certainly do my part. As soon as the new commissioner is appointed, I will send him/her a copy of the petition, along with the signatures, in order to make sure the point gets across.
But I can't be alone. Every resident that sees this need to write to their representatives - both house and senate!
OK. Thanks for the advice Todd!! I'll do just that!! I'll send an email in a heartbeat to voice my opinion. Thanks for the heads up.