On June 2nd, 2008, walking carefully a legal tightrope yesterday, a group of state legislators delayed a decision to appoint a new company to run the popular Ohio Lottery games like Pick3, MegaMillions and the Ohio's keno game.
The state Controlling Board, a group of legislators that decides on important spending proposals, set aside a request by Lottery Director Michael A. Dolan to pass a one year contract with Atlanta-based Intralot SA. Lawmakers said that they were wary about giving control to Intralot while the present lottery vendor, GTECH Corporation, challenge the decision of the Ohio Lottery to pick Intralot instead of them.
Both gaming organizations have hired attorneys and lobbyists in Ohio. Dolan said that the lottery will probably be sued regardless of what will be the decision. State Senator John Carey, a Republican from Wellston said that GTECH should have the chance to argue their case before the board.
GTECH filed a thirty-five page formal protest which states that the lottery officials did not handle the selection process carefully which resulted in the victory of Intralot. GTECH commented that the Ohio Lottery mindfully lowered its requirements for the lottery bidding, allowing Intralot to compete despite the requirement that prospective vendors should have experienced handling a lottery program as big as Ohio.
But despite GTECH's protest, Dolan had petitioned the Controlling Board members to approve the contract with Intralot so that the company could get to work on the requirements needed for the lottery.
Intralot's U.S president, Tom Little said that they want to start work as soon as possible. GTECH spokesperson Robert Vincent commented that they are happy that their protest will get a hearing before the controlling board.
[19-06]
John Sullivan
