Public Gaming International • September/October 2014
28
WASHINGTON
—From public education to increas-
ing economic development to promoting health and
public wellness to funding programs for veterans and
senior citizens, state lotteries across the country have
contributed billions of dollars to make our states and
communities better.
In 2013 alone, the nation’s 44 state lotteries raised
more than $20 billion for good causes. This means more
teachers in the classroom, enhanced public services and
more vibrant communities.
Because of the important role state lotteries play in in-
vesting in our communities—and our states’ futures—we
are concerned with the recent efforts in Congress to pass
a nationwide ban on Internet gambling and lottery sales.
We firmly believe that all decisions about gambling
should continue to be left to each individual state. It
should be at their discretion what games, if any at all,
are offered and through what manner they are delivered.
Some of the undersigned lottery states have no intention
of offering expanded gambling, but we are united in our
belief that this is not and should not be a federal “one size
fits all” decision.
For Congress to pass a sweeping nationwide ban
Online Gambling
and State
Lotteries
Should Be
Left Up to the
States and
Not Congress
By Jeffrey R. Anderson, Stephen Martino,
and Charles McIntyre
would be a devastating blow not only to lotteries but to
everyone impacted by their contributions.
A recent analysis shows that if this ban, which includes
major, unintended consequences to long-standing lottery
business practices, should pass, states could lose up to $5.5
billion annually.
What would that mean in practical terms? It would
mean less money for schools and fewer teachers. Fewer
police officers on the street. Less care for seniors. Fewer
services for veterans. Its inevitable consequence would
be some states losing out on much-needed revenue to
provide the services their citizens need and have come
to expect.
It also would be a direct assault on states’ rights. Since
1964 with the founding of the first modern state lottery
in New Hampshire, states have effectively, safely and
responsibly operated lotteries. They have ensured trans-
parency and promoted fair play.
Should some states choose to employ Internet gam-
bling or lottery sales, the same extensive safeguards and
high standards would be put into place. But it’s a choice
that each state should have the option to make.
Modern public policy regarding casino gambling and
lotteries has been governed by the sensibilities of the
states. Efforts by some members of Congress to sub-
stitute their judgment for those of the states on Internet
gambling and lottery policy should be rejected.
The proposed federal ban on all Internet gambling that
also contemplates sweeping changes to long-standing lot-
tery business practices would hurt those who benefit from
the good causes lotteries support, weakening our commu-
nities and their futures.
u
ABOUT THE WRITERS
Jeffrey R. Anderson
is the director of the Idaho Lottery,
Stephen Martino
is the director of the Maryland Lottery
and Gaming Control Agency, and
Charles McIntyre
is the
executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery. Readers
may write them at 700 13th Street NW, Suite 600, Washing-
ton, DC 20005.
The above essay is re-printed from McClatchy-Tri-
bune News Service subscribers. McClatchy-Tribune did
not subsidize the writing of this column; the opinions
are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent
the views of McClatchy-Tribune or its editors.
