On February 16, 2007, the Lottery in Texas may look different from what patrons are used to if Texas will follow the financial firms that have talked with Gov. Rick Perry's office allowing other gambling activities, like the online game of kenoand video slot machines.
Reports and statements made by 3 firms show that they are hoping to manage a deal for Texas where the price would be $14 million - $28 billion, depending on the buyers' capability to increase their own revenues by expanding gaming activities in Texas.
This might also result in legalizing gambling games like video slots and permitting residents to purchase tickets from their own homes via digital television. These new ideas are troubling to gambling critics who commented that poor residents in Texas will be drawn to the addictive games that are similar to what can be found in casinos. Dawn Nettles from Garland, a lottery watchdog, says that the lottery is enough and they do not need any added games.
The spokesman for the Governor said that they are not supporting a massive and indiscriminate expansion in gambling and just want Texas to have a steady stream of revenues and at the same time, give their residents games that will be worth their money.
Spokesman Black also said that allowing new games that are not yet legal in the state, like keno and video slots, in addition to lottery sales, will have to be ratified by a constitutional amendment. However, he added, that it is still unsure and the Attorney General may have to be consulted regarding these questions before asking the voters to approve them.
Constitutional amendments must be given permission of 2/3 of both the House and the Senate and most of the voters in Texas. Legislative officials have not given a definite answer about selling the state lottery and said that they are looking for a buyer that will ensure that Texas will get about $1 billion more annually than it currently gets from the lottery which is used for public education. The state lottery garnered more than $3.77 billion back in 2006, which was the largest percentage in about 14 years.
Thursday, March 29 , 2007
Louis Blechdom
