Play The N.C. Lottery Over The Internet? It Could Happen

Sep 8, 2005, 2:34 pm (43 comments)

North Carolina Lottery

"Log on... Win millions."

That could be a slogan one day for the North Carolina lottery.

The lottery bill that Governor Mike Easley signed into law last week allows something no other state does: online gaming.

"Our law includes specific reference to online games," said Bill Brooks, who works with the North Carolina Family Policy Council.

Experts said that phrase could be interpreted in different ways. But, they said, the phrase leaves the door open for North Carolina to become the first state to offer lottery ticket sales over the Internet.

"Conceivably, if the commission decided, that could be a method for selling tickets," said Ken Levenbook, the state' s leading expert on lotteries.

He said other states are considering selling tickets over the Internet.

The idea is for players to set up an account with the lottery commission by using a credit card.

The commission would then charge credit cards for a weekly or monthly ticket subscription.

But Brooks and other lottery opponents fear online games would lead many players into a life of compulsive gambling.

"I think it would be a travesty," Brooks said.

Opponents also said the N.C. law is too permissive: It allows the state to offer any game under way in other states.

"Here in North Carolina, the public and the General Assembly is not going to be able to have a discussion about any games that the lottery commission may take it upon itself to authorize," Brooks said.

That means if North Carolina isn't the first to offer ticket sales over the Internet, the state could simply follow another state's lead. Georgia and Illinois are already considering online ticket sales.

A spokesperson for House Speaker Jim Black predicted that it would be several years down the road before North Carolina considered online ticket sales.

WRAL

Comments

Bradly_60's avatarBradly_60

I'm still waiting for Michigan to do something online.  It would be fun and entertaining to play cames on the lotteries websites by putting in codes.  They could also save millions of dollars in retailer commissions by selling the tickets themselves over the interent (online games like Daily 3 and 4, Fantasy 5 and so forth)

Brad

Tenaj's avatarTenaj

I wonder why those in charge always try to use the moral issue like they care about whether people become compusive gamblers.

tenaj

bellyache's avatarbellyache

I wonder the same thing Tenaj. The whole line of "people will become addicts if they play online" is stupid. There are people who are gambling addicts who don't play online and it has nothing to do with being online in the first place. I hope that made sense. lol. =)

Tenaj's avatarTenaj

I think the slogan for NC should be "We's Gambling Now".  lol

I know I shouldn't make fun of my own state but they fought about a lottery for 20 years.

tenaj

bellyache's avatarbellyache

Heh. That's actually funny!

JimmySand9

My suggestion is to let the terminals print out vouchers for online play, like what Georgia proposed a while back. That way the retailers still get a commission and it will help limit peoples purchases.

JAP69's avatarJAP69

If a state that has the lottery offer online gambling why not set up their site for the players to play another states game. The state could keep the money in their own state then.

They are not stupid. They know there are gambling sites on the net.

Tenaj's avatarTenaj

I think it would be too problematic for a state to be responsible for payouts for another state.  They have to be reimbursed, they would have to be linked to another state's system so kind of way.  They would have to collerate.  There would be too many things happening.  When things gone wrong nobody would want to own it. 

So the internet bookies solve the problem for us by taking responsibility for maintaining the websites, operations, and paying us.

acronym007

IT'S ABOUT TIME. Hello Lotto people this is the year 2005. We are way behind. There is no reason, moral or otherwise to not allow purchases over the net. If your going to be an addict, you'll go to all lenghts to be an addict. I have traveled to other states to buy lotto when MegaMillions get big, like now. So, what't the difference if I purchased online or traveled to another state? Nothing legit. Let's go people bring it online.

looneylotto

The moral issue........................................

The ones that make the most noise about what's good for all of us, are most likely the ones that get caught cheating on thier spouse.

Remember the guy that wanted to hang President Clinton, raised such a stink about morals.
Ka ching! and thanks to Larry Flint he was toast. Don't worry about what I'm doing as long as it don't impact you.

Regards,
Mike

Tenaj's avatarTenaj

I don't have a moral issue about playing online.  Minorities and poor people for the most part don't have computers to play online.  An addict will find a way to play. I play online myself and is grateful that finally NC can do so. I SAY BRING IT ON!  The company that I play with in reality is no different than a bookie.  Think about it.  They front the money and other companies make money to handle your payment when you win.  The point I was trying to make is that the states will not come together on this because it's too much trouble for them, so the online companies do it for us.

 

 

 

anniep2

I don't have a moral issue about playing online.  Minorities and poor people for the most part don't have computers to play online.  An addict will find a way to play. I play online myself and is grateful that finally NC can do so. I SAY BRING IT ON!  The company that I play with in reality is no different than a bookie.  Think about it.  They front the money and other companies make money to handle your payment when you win.  The point I was trying to make is that the states will not come together on this because it's too much trouble for them, so the online companies do it for us.

 

 

 

We's Gamblin Now! OMG, I just about fell in the floor laughing!

I've been lurking around for a while now, but finally getting the lottery and agreeing with what our slogan should be I had to come out. Hope they don't lolly gag around too long - I can't afford all the gas of going to Virginia every month for tickets. It's so stupid! When I get to Virginia, I buy gas, lottery tickets and lunch. It's way past time these NC dummys started keeping money in our own state! And boy, can't wait for on line lottery!!!!!! No gas, no nothing, but sittin in my jammys, credit card in hand.

orangeman

North Dakota and other rural states are beginning to see a decline in their sales due to the higher price of gasoline.  When gas is over $2.50 per gallon the average guy will think twice about making an extra trip to the convenience store to drop a few bucks on a long-shot.  If he could get on his computer and do the same thing, it would make more economic sense.  As far as compulsive gamblers and minors are concerned, they will find a way to play with or without the Internet.

Orangeman                                                                        See Ya!

bluedog's avatarbluedog

Hello gamers, I don't know if anyone is familiar with the site Lotter where you can play any lottery from any state or country by credit card
I have had a subscription for the past two years with Lotter I live in Texas and tried to get a subscription to megamillions but it was not offered. With their lottery service, I can play any lottery anywhere in the world all I need is a credit card and a computer.

When will the US finally get Smart and start offering online gaming?

PS; if you are a serious lottery player like myself take a look at the site.  You'll be surprised

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