Missouri Lottery sales drop amid coronavirus response

Mar 20, 2020, 7:25 am (8 comments)

Missouri Lottery

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — With Missouri already losing tax revenue from the shutdown of the state's casinos, sales of lottery tickets have taken a nosedive as people stay home amid a pandemic.

According to a weekly sales update obtained by the Post-Dispatch, overall sales dropped by 11% this week compared to a similar period last week. Scratch off ticket sales have dropped 9% and lottery draw games are down 11%.

For the lottery, that amounts to a total sales drop of more than $1.7 million.

The decline in sales is likely to accelerate when video pull tab games are closed down Thursday night.

Pull tab vending machines are available at veteran and fraternal clubs.

After subtracting operational costs, lottery funds go to help pay for public education in Missouri. In 2019, the lottery funneled $346 million to schools, representing about 4% of the total funding for elementary, secondary and higher education.

The potential drop in revenue represents one more challenge for state budget writers, who must send a spending plan to Gov. Mike Parson by May 8.

The House had been poised to approve its version of the budget this week, paving the way for the Senate to start on its draft.

But, the House scrapped the idea because the coronavirus outbreak is likely to result in a drop in tax revenue as people lose their jobs and spend less because they are practicing social distancing.

House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, said the House couldn't be sure of revenue or where the state might need to spend money to deal with the response. Waiting until closer to the May 8 deadline could help lawmakers craft a more realist spending blueprint.

"The situation is too fluid," Haahr said.

It's not clear when the House or Senate will return to action. Both chambers are on a spring break that is scheduled to last until March 30, but could be extended pending the status of the outbreak.

In addition to the loss of lottery proceeds, the state is losing about $1 million a day it typically receives from people who gamble at the state's 13 casinos.

At the beginning of the budgeting process, Parson based his $30.9 billion spending proposal on a growth in tax revenue of 1.9% in the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Depending on the severity and length of the pandemic in the U.S., that growth might instead be in negative territory.

Richmond News

Comments

MzDuffleBaglady's avatarMzDuffleBaglady

No doubt!

music*'s avatarmusic*

Here in California I am protecting my health and the other people's health. I am sheltering in place. The Lottery tickets can wait. 

ThaRock1's avatarThaRock1

Definitely sounds like a plan to me if they really want your money they'll figure out a way to make it so you can donate to them.

Stack47

Why would anyone assume the state lotteries are doing business as usual when many of the places selling lottery tickets are closed?

Bet states with Online sales are only down a little bit. Don't know of a state selling "pick games" Online, but it might be considered in the future.

noise-gate

Missouri has been at it some 30 odd years. Some " Ups some, some downs."  Sooner rather than later- they have to bite the bullet or worse...

snake bite GIF

GiveFive's avatarGiveFive

Quote: Originally posted by Stack47 on Mar 20, 2020

Why would anyone assume the state lotteries are doing business as usual when many of the places selling lottery tickets are closed?

Bet states with Online sales are only down a little bit. Don't know of a state selling "pick games" Online, but it might be considered in the future.

In New York State, although an Executive Order from The Governor for most workers/people to stay home goes into effect tomorrow night, I've had no trouble buying tickets in gas stations or supermarkets.  That said, the jackpot amounts for NY's daily Take5 game are definitely less than usual/normal.  I would think they'll be even less after tomorrow.   

The streets around my very small upstate NY town have been very quiet.  It reminds a lot of what it's like on Christmas Day.  You do see a person here and there, or a car here and there, but people are definitely not out and about.  When I asked the guy in my local gas station/convenience store how business has been, he told me "It's dead." 

Christmas Day is just that - one day.   How long is this situation going to go on is what the small business owners in this little town are concerned about.  One guy told me that he'd been "just getting by for years" with his small business.  He said that while he wasn't sure, he might have to retire earlier than he had planned. G5 

DELotteryPlyr's avatarDELotteryPlyr

Quote: Originally posted by GiveFive on Mar 21, 2020

In New York State, although an Executive Order from The Governor for most workers/people to stay home goes into effect tomorrow night, I've had no trouble buying tickets in gas stations or supermarkets.  That said, the jackpot amounts for NY's daily Take5 game are definitely less than usual/normal.  I would think they'll be even less after tomorrow.   

The streets around my very small upstate NY town have been very quiet.  It reminds a lot of what it's like on Christmas Day.  You do see a person here and there, or a car here and there, but people are definitely not out and about.  When I asked the guy in my local gas station/convenience store how business has been, he told me "It's dead." 

Christmas Day is just that - one day.   How long is this situation going to go on is what the small business owners in this little town are concerned about.  One guy told me that he'd been "just getting by for years" with his small business.  He said that while he wasn't sure, he might have to retire earlier than he had planned. G5 

We have a couple of small restaurants in our small town.  They are doing take out only.  Luckily they are busy from what I can tell.  We are alternating between supporting them.  We have order more from them in the last 2 weeks then in the last year!!

Its up to us to support the local business's US Flag

MzDuffleBaglady's avatarMzDuffleBaglady

I am still playing, because I have been winning all week.

But, I know "A Change is coming"!

 

Any ticket $600 or more, mail in , or wait the 180 days!

 

Good luck.

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