N.M. Lottery introduces first joint lottery/tribal casino game
Posted: 6/14/2005 12:24:00 PM
The New Mexico Lottery and Santa Ana Star Casino have entered into the first joint lottery/tribal casino game in the state and possibly the United States.
The two have launched LottoSino(C), an instant (Scratcher) game with two distinct playing fields: one for the lottery and the other for the casino.
The traditional New Mexico Lottery portion features 11 ways to win with top cash prizes of $30,000. Santa Ana Star's portion includes a scratch-off playing field revealing various casino prizes ranging from logo-styled merchandise and free bowling to $5,000 top cash prizes.
"Four different groups will reap LottoSino's rewards," said Lottery CEO Tom Shaheen. "First, New Mexico Lottery players will enjoy a new and different game. Second, casino players who normally don't buy lottery tickets may find a new product they enjoy. Third, the game will help raise more money for the Lottery Success Scholarship. And fourth, the Pueblo of Santa Ana will be able to generate needed funds to support its community programs."
"Indian gaming was put in place by the federal government to assist tribal governments in being self-sufficient," said General Manager Conrad Granito. "With federal programs to Santa Ana Pueblo being cut every year, the revenues provided by the casino help in supporting the tribal members in many ways."
Proposed to the Lottery by Vegas Games Inc. (VGI), the LottoSino concept was presented to several New Mexico tribal casinos. Santa Ana Star on the Santa Ana Pueblo not only opted to participate with the lottery, but also applied to be a New Mexico Lottery retailer. Shaheen noted that the initial proposal presented by VGI would have partnered the lottery with a Nevada casino promotion. However, he said that it was important that the promotional partnership be offered to a New Mexico Native American casino.
"We're thrilled that Santa Ana Star elected to participate in this revolutionary concept," Shaheen added.
Now beginning its tenth year of operations, the New Mexico Lottery has already raised more than $243 million for public education, including almost $177 million for the Lottery Success Scholarship program. More than 35,000 students so far have received their in-state college tuition paid by the Lottery Success Scholarship.
Source: Lottery Post Staff
