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Lotto Vending Machines Spark Fierce Opposition in Arkansas
Lotto Vending Machines Spark Fierce Opposition in Arkansas
In 2008 Arkansas voters overwhelmingly voted to implement a state lottery. In 2009 Arkansas joined the Multi State Lottery Association which provides the popular Powerball lottery. The Arkansas lottery uses a random number generator to draw numbers making it the first US lottery to begin with computerized lottery draws. The Arkansas lottery provides college scholarships to Arkansas residents and is responsible for sending thousands of economically disadvantages students to institutions of higher learning. The lottery has not been without critics and the usual suspects raised the usual nonsensical arguments against the establishment of a lottery.
Recently the Arkansas lottery announced plans to put lotto vending machines in retail outlets which prompted a hissy fit from the ‘religious’ right. The Arkansas ‘Family’ Council voiced its objections and is asking the Arkansas Lottery Commission to stop the plan which is already underway. The ‘Family’ Council claims it has a stack of emails that represent public opinion against the lottery vending machines. The Arkansas ‘Family’ Council is associated with the far right Focus on the Family led by James Dobson who has been a gambling opponent for years. The Arkansas ‘Family’ Council claims that although voters approved the state lottery they did not approve the vending machines.
Thirty other states with lotteries have used vending machines without any problems but opponents claim the machines would promote ‘underage gambling’ and the old saw of ‘gambling addiction.’ The lottery commission is currently seeking public input and comments regarding the proposed vending machines. Arkansas lottery officials say the machines are needed to increase sales and that the lottery may lose revenue without them. The Arkansas Lottery Commission plans to hold a public hearing on August 19th and in all likelihood the Arkansas ‘Family’ Council will try to pack the hearing with supporters. Lottery supporters and those who believe in the freedom of choice can send comments by email to the Lottery Commission and attend the public comment session. Most states that implemented lottery ticket sales by vending machines did so without organized opposition which makes it even harder to understand the fierce opposition to a relatively innocuous proposal.