| PGRI Comment: This is an important step towards redirecting the income generated by illegal video-poker operators over to the deserving beneficiaries. Clarifying the beneficiaries of government-gaming should mobilize Lottery’s stakeholders to defend their interests against illegal, untaxed, and unregulated operators which are taking profits away from Good Causes like HOPE Scholarship funding. |
More money could flow to the HOPE scholarship program under legislation given key committee approval Thursday.
House Bill 478, sponsored by Rep. Matt Ramsey, R-Peachtree City, would give control and enforcement of legal video poker machines to the Georgia Lottery Corp. and direct that a share of the profits go to the lottery-funded HOPE program.
It’s not yet known how much money the change could bring to HOPE.
The proposal has the blessing of the Department of Revenue, which currently enforces the video poker program, the lottery and law enforcement.
It also pleases convenience store operators, who compete against stores that operate illegal machines.
Video poker machines are legal, if they are registered and taxed. Stores are only allowed to award vouchers for merchandise in the store, not cash or tobacco or alcohol.
Jim Tudor, president of the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores, said “it’s about time.”
“This is a great, great step,” Tudor said. “These are long overdue reforms.”
- See more at: http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/bill-would-direct-legal-video-poker-profits-to-hop/nWcy9/#sthash.LP976uJD.dpuf
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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.
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Paul's Wall
2012 Public Gaming Magazines
PUBLIC GAMING OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012
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PUBLIC GAMING SEPTEMBER 2012
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Click here to read the regular .pdf version
PUBLIC GAMING MAGAZINE MAY/JUNE 2012