THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 19, 1995 TAG: 9503170021
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Regarding John Goolrick's ``The lure of the lottery'' (Another View, March 2): The lottery law has never prohibited advertising. The law states: ``No funds shall be expended for the primary purpose of inducing persons to participate in the Lottery.'' While the law does not say what inducement is, it does say what the lottery can advertise. The list of permissible topics includes the types of games; the price of tickets; the number and size of prizes; odds of winning; the manner of selecting winners; and the distribution of lottery revenues.
The lottery has an internal policy that outlines several things we do not permit in our advertising. Among them are denigration of the work ethic, promises of great wealth if you play the lottery and portrayal of lifestyle changes.
Lottery revenues have never been earmarked. When Delegate O'Brien, and other members of the General Assembly wrote the lottery bill in 1987, it stated that all lottery revenues to the state would go to the general fund. The General Assembly and the governor then decide how to distribute revenues from the general fund each year.
Approximately 35 percent of every dollar spent on lottery tickets goes to the general fund, which supports various programs. About half of the monies spent in the general fund go to support education. In addition to education, the general fund also supports programs in health and human resources, public safety and natural resources.
Since its inception in 1988, the lottery has contributed more than $1.5 billion to the general fund.
Mr. Goolrick is correct that the instant tickets were the first product offered, but they do not, as his column indicated, provide a relatively small part of lottery earnings. Last year, the lottery sold $270 million worth of instant tickets, accounting for nearly one-third of the $875 million in revenues generated, of which $303.5 million was contributed to the general fund.
Regarding the Cash 5 game and Mr. Goolrick's observation that some nights there are no winners: In the 243 Cash 5 drawings that have been held, there have been a total of 343 $100,000 winners. One drawing had 10 $100,000 winners.
If Mr. Goolrick or other readers would like further information about the lottery, they should contact the lottery's Public Information Office at (804) 367-3111.
PENELOPE W. KYLE, director
Virginia Lottery
Richmond, March 6, 1995 by CNB