Six States Losing Millions In Revenue

[barryqwalsh]

Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada and Utah don't have state-run lotteries.


In Nevada, casino interests dominate state politics, and the prospect of a government-run gambling enterprise operating alongside the Mirages and MGM Grands of the Las Vegas Strip is a non-starter.

The prospect of losing money across the state line has been an often-cited reason for why states have ended up adopting their own lottery.

According to Terry Rich, president of the Iowa Lottery Authority, the cross-border traffic was a prime reason why his state adopted the lottery in 1985 - and the lure of winning millions is still at play in the non-lottery states.

"A lot of the folks in Utah are heading to Idaho today," he says, "and Nevada people are all heading to California."

US lottery revenue in 2014 was $70bn. Powerball alone accounted for $4.81bn.

For comparison's sake, the combined 2014 gross revenue for professional American football, baseball and basketball was only $23.6bn.

 

[barryqwalsh]

A lot of the folks in Utah are heading to Idaho today," he says, "and Nevada people are all heading to California."

It's not a challenge faced by two of the states that don't participate, however - isolated Alaska and Hawaii.

In Hawaii one of the state's political giants - Senator Daniel Inouye - was adamantly opposed to gambling of any kind, arguing it would harm his home-state tourism industry. Gambling, he said, will attract a "different type of people" - "it will not be the type you no see now with their young children, young folks spending their honeymoon."

Inouye died in 2012, but his state's opposition lives on.

In Alaska, on the other hand, the lack of a lottery seems to have less to do with moral questions and more to do with oil. The state generates so much revenue from drilling that it operates with a budget surplus and gives a dividend of nearly $2,000 back to each of its residents every year.

 

[barryqwalsh]

Alaskans and Hawaiians can play a lottery, the Massachusetts Lottery.

The Megabucks Doubler game is open to all across the US. Subscriptions can be purchased from the comfort of a phone. Subscription tickets are sent by UPS.

 

[barryqwalsh]

The Powerball jackpot-winning ticket sold in Texas for the historic Feb. 11 drawing has been claimed. TL Management Trust, Andrew Weber, Trustee of Austin claimed the $127,046,150.05 Cash Value Option prize from the $564.1 million jackpot at Texas Lottery headquarters in Austin today. The claimant requested minimal publicity.

The ticket was purchased at the Appletree Food Mart, located at 893 E. Princeton Drive in Princeton. For selling the jackpot-winning ticket, the retailer is eligible for a $1 million bonus.


AUSTIN TRUST CLAIMS SHARE OF 564.1 MILLION POWERBALL JACKPOT FROM FEB. 11 DRAWING Welcome to K-Star Country

 

[Stephanie]

Well it's their choice. Alaska has what's called, pull tabs. They even have little shops you can go sit at and pull them till your hearts desire. You can also buy them in most of the bars. They also have the Ice Classic. which you should research...Quite interesting. but it's once a year

 

[Papageorgio]

Each state has the right to determine whether they want to have a lottery or not.

 

[barryqwalsh]

Each state has the right to determine whether they want to have a lottery or not.

Also, each person should have the right to play another State Lottery, if they wish.

 

[Papageorgio]

Each state has the right to determine whether they want to have a lottery or not.

Also, each person should have the right to play another State Lottery, if they wish.

Sure if they travel to the other state to play. If it is over the internet, then it is interstate commerce and would be regulated through the federal government. However like marijuana, it is legal and illegal in some states, so buying in the state you are in, it could be against the law.

 

[Politico]

Sounds like those states need more stupid residents.

 

[Stephanie]

Sounds like those states need more stupid residents.

lol, no kidding. I left Alaska six years ago. and the state I'm in now sells lotto and lottery. but after every ad on radio and television they have a number you can call, in case you have a habitual gambling habit.

I'm like what the hell.