Legislator Tries to Repeal Arkansas Lottery Law

Legislator Tries to Repeal Arkansas Lottery Law Most states have well established lotteries with a well documented history of providing states with much needed revenues. A majority of states with lotteries use lottery money for education and the funding of college scholarships. Despite these well documented benefits there are those opposed to lotteries and gambling in general. Arkansas, which established an education lottery in 2009 now finds itself the subject of scrutiny from 'conservative' lawmakers. Opponents include the usual suspects including several religious right groups. The right wing Family Council and Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families have made statements in favor of repealing the law that brought the citizens of Arkansas the lottery. The Family Council is affiliated with the extremist Focus on the Family run by James Dobson a top 'religious' right leader. Surprisingly the NAACP also issued a statement for repeal of the lottery law.

In a statement emailed to supporters the Family Council said that Arkansas has "one of the least regulated lotteries in the nation." It also said that the Arkansas lottery law, "allows the salaries of lottery employees to be set too high," making the outlandish claim that the "state lottery director earns more than college presidents and a lottery sheriff who makes more than the director of the Arkansas State Police." Last November Arkansas voters by a clear majority amended the state constitution enabling legislators to set up the Arkansas lottery.

Arkansas state senator Sue Madison has proposed that the lottery law be repealed. Senator Madison has said she doesn't think lawmakers fully thought out the lottery when it was created. Fortunately no other legislators have come forward in support of her proposal. Lottery critics want more restrictions on the lottery and how it is advertised. Lottery officials predict $400 million in lottery sales and that the lottery would fund $100 million in much needed college scholarships. Thanks to sane legislators in Arkansas lottery repeal is likely to go nowhere.

For those living in states where lotteries are not controversial the ability to purchase lottery tickets online may not be far off. Many states are now allowing residents to buy online lottery tickets. Those wishing to make an online lottery purchase can now go online and purchase online lottery tickets with a few clicks of a mouse. Players can also check for the latest winning lottery numbers. Many lottery websites are also accessible from mobile devices such as cell phones or blackberries. Lotteries are rapidly catching up with 21st century technology.