| Updated: 1/04/2010 10:28 pm |
Published: 1/04/2010 3:36 pm
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New numbers show Oklahoma’s lottery has some competition. The new Arkansas lottery, which started recently, is cutting into Oklahoma’s sales and the money going to the state’s school system. Fox 23’s Douglas Clark reports.
Many of Arkansas’ lottery games have bigger prizes, which is one reason why many are driving across the border to buy tickets.
“I’ve noticed that more people win in other places than around here,” says Oklahoma lottery player Summer Westin.
Oklahoma lottery officials estimate sales in five of the six counties that border Arkansas have fallen between 40 and 50%, as Oklahomans drive next door to buy lotto tickets with bigger jackpots. Couple that with the economy dragging sales down and lottery officials predict sales will fall from $190.5 million this year to $185 million next year. That means the 35% of profits going toward education funding will also drop.
When asked if she thinks about the money going toward education, Cory McConnell replied, “I think about it when I see the sign. I don’t think about it when I’m playing. I wonder if it all really goes there.” So what does she think about when she plays? “The jackpot,” she says.
That’s why state officials want to take a gamble with Oklahoma’s lottery. They’re betting that boosting prizes by diverting some of the education money would keep people playing Oklahoma’s lottery instead of Arkansas’. The idea is that higher sales will put more money into the education bank account in the end.
When asked if she would play more often if they boosted the prizes, McConnell responded, “Yeah I would. We all need money right now.”
“I think it will work better. People won’t go across the line, stay here and spend more money here because we need it,” says lottery player Clint Bohannon.
Lottery officials plan to lobby the legislature during its next session to change the rules on how much money goes toward education.
Unlike Oklahoma, Arkansas’ lottery does not have a fixed percentage of profits going toward education, but rather a percentage that varies depending on sales. Oklahoma lottery officials say they would like to adopt such a system.
