Indiana Closely Eyes Illinois Online Lottery

State lottery officials are keeping a close watch on how the online lottery ticket sales play out in Illinois.

March 29, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS - Hoosier Lottery officials are scrutinizing Illinois?? efforts to sell lottery tickets online, USA Today reports.

Lottery spokesperson Al Larsen said while they haven??t formally studied developing an online effort, they are considering it, depending on the success of the Illinois program.

"We have been monitoring everything," Larsen said. "When you get down to it, we have an obligation to maximize revenue for Hoosier taxpayers, so we have to look at all sales channels."

Larsen said an online transition could proceed without political approval, though he said the group would likely consult Governor Mitch Daniels as well as lottery retailers for feedback before making any firm proposals.

Illinois began selling tickets online this past Sunday for the Mega Millions game and its state lottery. It is the first state to implement an online program, and Illinois lottery officials said the idea would likely catch on with others.

"I would imagine it will be very attractive to other states," said Illinois Lottery Superintendent Michael Jones. "It's a fantastic way to broaden the player base."

State Rep. Phil GiaQuinta said he opposes legislative intervention in the issue, though favors a review for competitive reasons. "I've gotten a sense in recent years that there's not a real appetite for expansion of gambling in the legislature," he told the news source. "On the other hand, we're certainly competing against these other states. We're obviously a gaming state. But once you've started, where do you draw the line?"

For more on online lottery, read the upcoming April 2012 NACS Magazine feature, "You Can??t Win."

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