Repeal the Lottery?

[MichaelC]

From KTUL

quote:Oklahoma City (AP) - The head of Oklahoma's Republican Party, citing lower-than-expected revenue and escalating social costs, is calling for repeal of the Oklahoma Lottery.

Only 18 months after the first lottery ticket was sold in the state, state Republican Party chairman Tom Daxon says the lottery -- approved with 64 percent of the vote in a statewide referendum in November 2004 -- has not worked out as the voters were led to believe.

Democratic Governor Brad Henry supported a statewide lottery as a way to raise additional revenue for public schools and state colleges and universities.

A spokesman for Henry, Paul Sund, says if Daxon wants the lottery repealed, quote, "he should have at it."

The G-O-P chairman says lottery revenue has consistently been below expectations and that shortfalls have forced lawmakers to dip into other revenue sources to fund education.

Daxon also says an increase in gaming in the state has led to a variety of social problems.

[rwarn17588]

<start clip>

Daxon also says an increase in gaming in the state has led to a variety of social problems.

<end clip>

So is chronically underfunding schools -- which was a problem before the lottery.

[deinstein]

Yeah, the entire state is going to hell over a few lottery tickets bought at the corner store.

[}:)]

[deinstein]

Does anyone not see the flaw in talking about repealing the lottery and using gaming in the state as the cop out? I think there is a huge difference between casino gambling and buying a lottery ticket. Agreed?

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by deinstein

Does anyone not see the flaw in talking about repealing the lottery and using gaming in the state as the cop out? I think there is a huge difference between casino gambling and buying a lottery ticket. Agreed?

Bringing the lottery brought the casinos. He is using low lottery revenues as a backdoor to "we should shutdown the casinos"

FYI, the lottery revenues were ADDITIONAL funding, not part of the main funding base for the schools. Like when an employee gets a bonus check. You can't say "bonuses were low so we couldn't pay salary."

[deinstein]

How did the lottery bring the casinos?

[sgrizzle]

The lottery is class 3 gaming.

By voting in the lottery, class 3 gaming was then legal in the state of Oklahoma. This means that the native american tribes can then sign a compact with the state regarding class 3 gaming on their land. The only reason they had only bingo before (class 2) is because oklahoma was a class 2 gaming state.

The "casino" vote on the same ballet with the lottery vote was for setting up a compact with the indian tribes and to take a percentage of the profits.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

The lottery is class 3 gaming.

By voting in the lottery, class 3 gaming was then legal in the state of Oklahoma. This means that the native american tribes can then sign a compact with the state regarding class 3 gaming on their land. The only reason they had only bingo before (class 2) is because oklahoma was a class 2 gaming state.

The "casino" vote on the same ballet with the lottery vote was for setting up a compact with the indian tribes and to take a percentage of the profits.

However, weren't the tribes theatening to increase operations on their land with no cut to the state whatsoever? Recent court decisions had allowed a tribe to open high stakes bingo games if any bingo was allowed in the state which it was (but limited to less than $100 pot if memory serves). By passing the lottery we were able to make compacts that gave a share of gaming revenue to the state. If we rescind the lottery it may affect those compacts.

[Conan71]

I think since we've opened the door, we may as well keep the lottery going and take whatever income it is providing for education, rather than to cut that stream off, unless the lottery commission winds up being a drain on the state.

Anyone with any sense knew when they were giving us the sales pitch that the $$ benefits touted were grossly over-stated.  Same as they have been in other states.  

I voted for it anyhow, I'm not a regular player, but I figured if there were others who wanted it that bad, give it to 'em.

[Cubs]

Get rid of the lottery. It does no good. It doesn't help education. Very few get more than they put in and it ruins the lives of those who do win big. It helps no one.

[rwarn17588]

To say the lottery benefits no one is a bit much.

The businesses that sell ticket get ancillary business, the winners certainly do benefit, and schools *do* get money from it -- just not as much as projected.

Time for Rico to use his trademarked "Cubs" in flaming letters. [}:)]

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by deinstein

Does anyone not see the flaw in talking about repealing the lottery and using gaming in the state as the cop out? I think there is a huge difference between casino gambling and buying a lottery ticket. Agreed?

No.  The only difference I see is the amount of time and $ people spend on each of these activities.  As others have said, they are both Class 3 gambling in the eyes of the law.

Some people call this "entertainment," I call it pouring your money down a giant rat hole.  The white man stole the Indian's lands and tried to eliminate their culture.  Now the Indians are robbing our pockets with casinos and killing people with low-tax cigarettes.  Tit for tat, I guess.  (I know they are not exactly the same things; no one forces a person to gamble at a casino.  Their own stupidity takes care of that.)

Personally, I would like to see all forms of public gambling illegal in Okla. (except for charity bingo & raffles, or the poker night at your kitchen table), but the door has been opened and I know that ain't gonna happen.

[deinstein]

How many people do you all know who buy $500 or more in lottery tickets and stay out all hours of the night feeding their lottery ticket addiction? Just curious.

[RecycleMichael]

How come republicans are always against having fun?

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by Cubs

Get rid of the lottery. It does no good. It doesn't help education. Very few get more than they put in and it ruins the lives of those who do win big. It helps no one.

Every time someone buys a ticket, God kills a kitten in Owasso.  Please, think of the kittens.