Hoosier Lottery operations could be privatized, depending on how the bids come in. It's a big step for Indiana, one that must be taken only with extreme caution.
The Indiana State Lottery Commission this month released a request for information, setting two deadlines for interested bidders.
The first deadline, Aug. 1, is for background on the bidding company and all its employees. The Aug. 31 deadline is for the full bids.
Once the bids are in, the commission will evaluate the bids, weighing the information about who would be involved — the integrity question — along with the business plan and the net income proposed. A recommendation is expected by late September.
The lottery is a business, of course, so the income matters. Lottery sales revenue is a voluntary tax. Since its inception in 1989, the agency reports, it has generated more than $4 billion in profits for state government.
But also important are how the bidder plans to market products and that everyone involved have a sterling reputation. Privatization must bring the same level of scrutiny to the lottery as already exists for the state's casinos, dog tracks and related operations.
The same concerns about organized crime, largely based on the early history of Las Vegas, will no doubt surface again in Indiana if the state recommends a bidder to operate the marketing and sales of Hoosier Lottery products.
It's important to make sure the state retains careful control of all aspects of the operation, because gambling offers opportunity for unsavory dealings that could harm Hoosiers.
Structure this contract very carefully to make sure that doesn't happen, and that Indiana's reputation doesn't suffer. This is even more important than squeezing more money out of Hoosiers and visitors for get-rich-quick lottery dreams.
Industry
Legal Resources
Regulator Links
WORLD LOTTERY WEBSITE LINKS
LOTTERY EXPO 2013
Co-Hosted by PGRI and the
Florida Lottery
November 4 to 7, Miami, Florida,
Trump Miami Beach Hotel
18001 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach, Florida
Phone: Domestic: 855.244.2964 International: 786.522.3523
**Use Group Code 10W820 to get our
special rate
Monday, November 4: 5:00: Opening Night Reception
Tuesday, Nov. 5: U.S. focused conference sessions; Reception 5:00 to 6:30 pm.
Wednesday,Nov. 6: Joint U.S. and Latin America Sessions; Reception 5:00 to 6:30 pm.
Thursday, Nov. 7: Focus on Latin America
Three Receptions and luncheons provide lots of time to visit with colleagues For complete Lottery Expo info, including registration materials and conference updates: PublicGaming.org Conference Venue: Trump Miami Hotel - Limited special rate of $175 Reserve your room click here online booking
call us at 425-449-3000 if you get a "sold out" or encounter any difficulties at all
===================================================
SMART-TECH 2013
PLATINUM SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
Thank you to all
of you who presented, served on a
panel discussion, and participated
at Smart-Tech. This was PGRI’s
fourth annual event in NYC and has
become a great venue for lotteries
to delve into the most relevant
issues of the hour, and we so
appreciate the privilege of hosting
it and visiting with you. The next
issue of PGRI Magazine will include
an in-depth analysis of the issues
we explored. Too, the conference
was video-recorded and will be made
freely available to everyone on
www.PGRItalks.com. We’ve
received much positive feedback and
hope that everyone accomplished
their objectives. Our next event
will be held at the Trump Miami
Beach Hotel on November 4, 5, 6, and
7th. Lottery Expo Miami
is especially exciting for the
participation from our colleagues in
Latin America. The North America
track is on Tuesday, the LatAm track
on Thursday, and we all come
together on Wednesday. Thanks to the
support of our commercial partners
and sponsors, the hosted receptions
held every night of the conference
have become a wonderful venue to
talk with industry leaders from all
around the world. Please check in at
www.PublicGaming.org for PGRI
conference updates. Thank you again
- We look forward to seeing you
again. Please e-mail me (pjason@publicgaming.com)
with any questions, feedback,
guidance, or comments of any kind.
Smart-Tech 2013 was held
April 8,
9, 10, 2013
at the Helmsley Park Lane,
New York.
Legal
Social Media
Europe
Financial
Responsible Gaming
Worldwide
Casino/Racino
Internet, Mobile
Political
Technology
Regulatory
OPINION
Paul's Wall
2012 Public Gaming Magazines
PUBLIC GAMING OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012
Click here to read the .pdf version
PUBLIC GAMING SEPTEMBER 2012
Click here to view the .pdf version
Click here to read the regular .pdf version
PUBLIC GAMING MAGAZINE MAY/JUNE 2012