Legislative committee to discuss killing the Texas Lottery

Jul 25, 2014, 11:23 am (63 comments)

Texas Lottery

AUSTIN, Tx. — The Texas Legislature's discussions about eliminating the state lottery are moving forward.

House Speaker Joe Straus on Thursday announced his appointments to the Legislative Committee to Review the Texas Lottery and Texas Lottery Commission, a new panel charged with studying the ramifications of ending the lottery, along with examining charitable bingo and how its revenue is distributed.

The appointees include three Harris County lawmakers, one of whom is a vocal lottery critic.

Houston Democrat Garnet Coleman has accused the lottery commission of a cozy relationship with the game operator and criticized how most players are poor. He will be joined by Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston; Rick Miller, R-Sugar Land; Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake and co-chair John Kuempel, R-Seguin.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst will choose five senators for the committee, which is to report its findings and recommendations by Dec. 1.

The committee came out of last session's House Bill 2197, which by passing allowed the lottery to continue after an unexpectedly fierce debate in which the state House voted for elimination before reversing itself.

Related:

Discussions about killing the lottery arose after a review by the Sunset Advisory Commission, which evaluates state agencies every 10 years. The Legislature must approve a version of the sunset commission's recommendations for most agencies — including the lottery commission — to continue to exist.

The routine sunset measure unexpectedly ignited a fierce debate as Democrats and Republicans argued the lottery preys on poor people. The bill was initially defeated 81-65, leading state Rep. Linda Harper Brown to declare from the dais that "the lottery commission is gone." But concerns about how to replace the more than $2 billion budget hole that would create led to a new vote in which the lottery survived 92-53.

In a Thursday statement, Straus said that, "the House had a healthy and productive discussion about the Texas Lottery last year, and this committee will continue that discussion."

"I hope these Members will take an objective and thorough look at how the lottery and charitable bingo impact our state," he said.

Houston Chronicle, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

Well...

These a**holes just won't quit until they succeed.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

W/ a 2 Billion dollar budget hole the Texas lottery is going nowhere !

Stack47

Discussions about killing the lottery arose after a review by the Sunset Advisory Commission, which evaluates state agencies every 10 years.

Who is this Sunset Advisory Commission and why do they believe they know what's best for the citizens of Texas?

TnTicketlosers's avatarTnTicketlosers

They have been needed to do that in Tennesssee for a long time.

lakerben's avatarlakerben

The lotto players in Texas  could start a online petition to keep it ?

 

Patriot

bobby623's avatarbobby623

Who is this Sunset Advisory Commission and why do they believe they know what's best for the citizens of Texas?

The Sunset Advisory Commission evaluates all state commissions, not just lottery.
I believe you can find the latest advisory posted at the website www.txlottery.org.
The commission didn't recommend the lottery be disbanded, they just made some recommendations to improve
how it functions.
They recommended the commission be expanded to 6 members, which was adopted.
I believe they raised some questions on how Director Gary Grief is running the show.
Grief has made some controversial decisions, including attempted adoption of a new game that is under Attorney General
review. It's alleged that the game doesn't  meet constitutional requirements, ie. gaming, not lottery.
It's alleged that Grief is actually a undercover agent for GTECH, the lottery operator.
GTECH won the recent contract that some folks say increases their profits at the expense of Texas education.
The current Commission Chairman Krause has a questionable background, particularly regarding some tax claims.
There is a lotto report website owned by a Dallas resident ,Dawn Nettles, that provides some details on current and past issues.


samgirl280's avatarsamgirl280

Quote: Originally posted by bobby623 on Jul 25, 2014

Who is this Sunset Advisory Commission and why do they believe they know what's best for the citizens of Texas?

The Sunset Advisory Commission evaluates all state commissions, not just lottery.
I believe you can find the latest advisory posted at the website www.txlottery.org.
The commission didn't recommend the lottery be disbanded, they just made some recommendations to improve
how it functions.
They recommended the commission be expanded to 6 members, which was adopted.
I believe they raised some questions on how Director Gary Grief is running the show.
Grief has made some controversial decisions, including attempted adoption of a new game that is under Attorney General
review. It's alleged that the game doesn't  meet constitutional requirements, ie. gaming, not lottery.
It's alleged that Grief is actually a undercover agent for GTECH, the lottery operator.
GTECH won the recent contract that some folks say increases their profits at the expense of Texas education.
The current Commission Chairman Krause has a questionable background, particularly regarding some tax claims.
There is a lotto report website owned by a Dallas resident ,Dawn Nettles, that provides some details on current and past issues.


They better stop it ,

because with the Advantage Pro Time Traveling System..

The wins always ends up in Texas..

 

Anyways before this state closes 

We will go heavier on the Texas Bets until then..

 

Scaredy Cats...

shadowlady's avatarshadowlady

Quote: Originally posted by lakerben on Jul 25, 2014

The lotto players in Texas  could start a online petition to keep it ?

 

Patriot

Sounds like players in Texas need to do this, to keep their Lottery around.

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by Stack47 on Jul 25, 2014

Discussions about killing the lottery arose after a review by the Sunset Advisory Commission, which evaluates state agencies every 10 years.

Who is this Sunset Advisory Commission and why do they believe they know what's best for the citizens of Texas?

..the Sunset advisory committee is comprised of folks who have " rode into the sunset" ..and for some reason have returned to throw in their 2 cents into this ongoing debate.How else does one explain a 10 year debate?

Appointing  folks who are rocking chair bound to a committee of any kind is folly!

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

Killing the Texas lottery, is equivalent to killing oil drilling in Texas. That will never happen.

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

Quote: Originally posted by bobby623 on Jul 25, 2014

Who is this Sunset Advisory Commission and why do they believe they know what's best for the citizens of Texas?

The Sunset Advisory Commission evaluates all state commissions, not just lottery.
I believe you can find the latest advisory posted at the website www.txlottery.org.
The commission didn't recommend the lottery be disbanded, they just made some recommendations to improve
how it functions.
They recommended the commission be expanded to 6 members, which was adopted.
I believe they raised some questions on how Director Gary Grief is running the show.
Grief has made some controversial decisions, including attempted adoption of a new game that is under Attorney General
review. It's alleged that the game doesn't  meet constitutional requirements, ie. gaming, not lottery.
It's alleged that Grief is actually a undercover agent for GTECH, the lottery operator.
GTECH won the recent contract that some folks say increases their profits at the expense of Texas education.
The current Commission Chairman Krause has a questionable background, particularly regarding some tax claims.
There is a lotto report website owned by a Dallas resident ,Dawn Nettles, that provides some details on current and past issues.


Why are these people giving more GRIEF to an individual named Gary Grief. Don't they think he has enough grief in his life already?. He does not deserve any more grief from anybody. If he wants more grief in his life, he can consult with his wife and they can make little grief babies. The kind of grief that brings joy not grief into your life. Yes Nod

Nikkicute's avatarNikkicute

Texas Lottery Commission, a new panel charged with studying the ramifications of ending the lottery,

along with examining charitable bingo and how its revenue is distributed.

 

Really, they're going to pick on Bingo players What? that's cold lol

Think's avatarThink

" Garnet Coleman has accused the lottery commission of a cozy relationship with the game operator and criticized how most players are poor."

It will be interesting to see how Coleman substantiates these assertions.  I would like to know what Coleman means by "most".

I am open to seeing the exact evidence and numbers.  Certainly Coleman wouldn't make off the cuff assertions so I expect the exact numbers to be published quickly.

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

Once there was a thread here on LP about moving to another state because your state didn't have a lottery or because a different state had a better lottery.

If you did that wouldn't something like this really frost you?
Bang Head

This time around gambling operators seem to have the lead. If you study the history of gambling in the U.S. in the past it has run about a 20 year cycle.it gets approved, expands, and then gets outlawed. Vegas was the exception and now A.C. is falling apart, so ? But we're way past a 20 year mark.

I don't think a state lottery has ever come into being and then got outlawed since NH started in 1964.

One thing this group in Texas doesn't seem to realize is that players are going to find the action. If they get their way 'policy' will make a big comeback.

Lucky Loser

Well, one thing is for sure here, the Republicans out number the Democrats on this. If you like your lottery games, it means you're gonna have to call your people up and tear 'em a new one. Can't wait to see how this goes...especially on the 'right' side of things.

 

L.L.

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

Quote: Originally posted by Coin Toss on Jul 25, 2014

Once there was a thread here on LP about moving to another state because your state didn't have a lottery or because a different state had a better lottery.

If you did that wouldn't something like this really frost you?
Bang Head

This time around gambling operators seem to have the lead. If you study the history of gambling in the U.S. in the past it has run about a 20 year cycle.it gets approved, expands, and then gets outlawed. Vegas was the exception and now A.C. is falling apart, so ? But we're way past a 20 year mark.

I don't think a state lottery has ever come into being and then got outlawed since NH started in 1964.

One thing this group in Texas doesn't seem to realize is that players are going to find the action. If they get their way 'policy' will make a big comeback.

If the lottery in Texas goes away, it's a 45 minute drive to Oklahoma to play PB, MM, and Hot Lotto.

And Winstar is right across the Red River.

mikeintexas's avatarmikeintexas

Quote: Originally posted by mypiemaster on Jul 25, 2014

Killing the Texas lottery, is equivalent to killing oil drilling in Texas. That will never happen.

Ding Ding Ding!

We have a winner!I Agree!

Piaceri

I just can't see them abolishing the lottery. The state makes too much money off it.  But they've done stranger things. They DID abolish it last year, even if it was for only a couple hours. The state already looses millions if not billions in possible state revenue to the casinos in LA and OK. There is nothing to pick up the loss of several billion in revenues that the lottery brings in. I wonder where Ms Coleman believes the replacement funds will come from? They certainly won't pull it from the rainy day fund, which won't cover the loss for more than a year or so.

Personally, I think they have bigger fish to fry.

Sunset Laws have been around for ages. The reviews are supposed to prevent duplication out of government and keep agencies/commissions/departments that have run out of life off the govt dole. Kind of like the useless federal Department of Energy. And federal Department of Education.  And maybe a few others. It is not perfect (RE abolishing the lottery last year), but the good outweighs the bad.

KKLK$DAY7

Stack47 the exact question arose in my mind. The answer is Gov. Oops and Rafiel Edwardo Cruz( the Canadian senator of Texas). Once or twice a year I travel to Louisiana to to play at the casinos and it never ceases to amaze me the Tx tags I see in the parking lot.  One would think that the money  being spent in Louisiana can be better used here in Texas. Our legislators chooses not to allow casinos nevertheless at almost every mom and pop corner store there is a "game room" the maximum win $500 now that is preying on the poor but I forgot to mention they are for entertainment purposes only with a visible sign on every machine that reads No Cash Payout  yea just take the slip to Baboo he got ya

KKLK$DAY7

I would also Like to see Coleman ban alcoholic beverages. It preys on the poor!!!!Mail For You

Goteki54's avatarGoteki54

It's not the politican's role to determine whether the lottery preys on poor people. It's a stupid argument to begin with. People have a mind of their own. It's THEIR CHOICE on whether they want to play the lottery or not. This is why I can't stand politicians who act as if they are suppose to be big brother in a nanny state!!Mad I'm really shocked this insanity is happening in Texas of all places.Hit With Stick

Iwhohavenothing

Hello,

 

I  just hold my forehead to think why you guys keep trying harder and harder to kill Texas lottery!?What?

You can try to kill tobacco (which can cause cancer), you can try to kill heavy alcohol drink ('who' can kill good drivers in the street), or stop selling guns... instead! and why you don't do those first ....??

Lottery is not cost to much to me, I spend around only 1-5 dollars/week , just  so much less than to my renting, groceries, utility costs....but the tickets reward me fun and hope!

when im stress and sad in workdays or in life, some lottery tickets make me happy a little bit:  well, after tues or wed nights..., my life might turn better!Lovies

 

So take some seconds to read my voice! Please don't try to kill lottery in Texas!!!Sad Cheers

Goteki54's avatarGoteki54

It's not the politican's role to determine whether the lottery preys on poor people. It's a stupid argument to begin with. People have a mind of their own. It's THEIR CHOICE on whether they want to play the lottery or not. This is why I can't stand politicians who act as if they are suppose to be big brother in a nanny state!!Mad I'm really shocked this insanity is happening in Texas of all places.Hit With Stick

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Legislative committee to discuss killing the Texas Lottery

 

I Wish they would do that here Red Devil

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Lucky Loser on Jul 25, 2014

Well, one thing is for sure here, the Republicans out number the Democrats on this. If you like your lottery games, it means you're gonna have to call your people up and tear 'em a new one. Can't wait to see how this goes...especially on the 'right' side of things.

 

L.L.

States cannot depend on lottery revenues to survive. It is better to increase taxes.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by rcbbuckeye on Jul 25, 2014

If the lottery in Texas goes away, it's a 45 minute drive to Oklahoma to play PB, MM, and Hot Lotto.

And Winstar is right across the Red River.

Do not tell your car insurance company that you drive to buy lottery tickets.

mikeintexas's avatarmikeintexas

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Jul 26, 2014

States cannot depend on lottery revenues to survive. It is better to increase taxes.

Right on the first, but I disagree on increasing taxes;  it's better to decrease spending.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by mikeintexas on Jul 26, 2014

Right on the first, but I disagree on increasing taxes;  it's better to decrease spending.

They say that lotteries were created by governments in order not to increase taxes on the people.Hence the saying?

Litebets27's avatarLitebets27

Texas, Texas Texas....No No

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Litebets27 on Jul 26, 2014

Texas, Texas Texas....No No

Texas does not need a lottery. It is one of the best run states and wealthiest.

Litebets27's avatarLitebets27

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Jul 26, 2014

Texas does not need a lottery. It is one of the best run states and wealthiest.

But their question is not about Texas needing a lottery.

The committee questions the relationship between the lottery commission and the gaming operation system and how most players are poor.

Before making broad statements and threats...investigate, show proof, gather and show stats that show reason why the games should end.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Litebets27 on Jul 26, 2014

But their question is not about Texas needing a lottery.

The committee questions the relationship between the lottery commission and the gaming operation system and how most players are poor.

Before making broad statements and threats...investigate, show proof, gather and show stats that show reason why the games should end.

What is the title of the story?

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Quote: Originally posted by rcbbuckeye on Jul 25, 2014

If the lottery in Texas goes away, it's a 45 minute drive to Oklahoma to play PB, MM, and Hot Lotto.

And Winstar is right across the Red River.

I like playing in Texas. Oklahoma games suck we have no state lotto game Texas has better games and scratchers.

Tialuvslotto's avatarTialuvslotto

I'm not worried.  I know 2 Billion reasons why they won't kill it.

Of course, they have to put on a good show so they don't lose face Clown

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Tialuvslotto on Jul 26, 2014

I'm not worried.  I know 2 Billion reasons why they won't kill it.

Of course, they have to put on a good show so they don't lose face Clown

Texas can raise $2 Billion in taxes in a heart beat. Texas does not need a lottery to survive.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

IS THE LOTTERY A TAX ON THE POOR?

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by bobby623 on Jul 25, 2014

Who is this Sunset Advisory Commission and why do they believe they know what's best for the citizens of Texas?

The Sunset Advisory Commission evaluates all state commissions, not just lottery.
I believe you can find the latest advisory posted at the website www.txlottery.org.
The commission didn't recommend the lottery be disbanded, they just made some recommendations to improve
how it functions.
They recommended the commission be expanded to 6 members, which was adopted.
I believe they raised some questions on how Director Gary Grief is running the show.
Grief has made some controversial decisions, including attempted adoption of a new game that is under Attorney General
review. It's alleged that the game doesn't  meet constitutional requirements, ie. gaming, not lottery.
It's alleged that Grief is actually a undercover agent for GTECH, the lottery operator.
GTECH won the recent contract that some folks say increases their profits at the expense of Texas education.
The current Commission Chairman Krause has a questionable background, particularly regarding some tax claims.
There is a lotto report website owned by a Dallas resident ,Dawn Nettles, that provides some details on current and past issues.


Who is this Sunset Advisory Commission and why do they believe they know what's best for the citizens of Texas?

"The commission didn't recommend the lottery be disbanded, they just made some recommendations to improve
how it functions."

Because of that I thought the commission was created exclusively to oversee Lottery functions. After doing some research, I found out every Texas State agency has an expiration date (usually for 12 years) and the commission after a review gives their recommendations to legislate to keep or abolish an agency. The commission is made up of 5 state senators, 5 state representatives, and 2 non-elected people, which I doubt qualifies any of them as lottery experts. State agencies like courts and universities are excluded from commission reviews.

"They recommended the commission be expanded to 6 members, which was adopted."

And probably gave each member a raise too. Commissions like this will work in any state with one political party control, but could become a disaster when party control is split.

bobby623's avatarbobby623

The Sunset Advisory Commission recommended two additional commissioners bringing the total to 5.
I said 6, which was a typo. Sorry about that.
Two new members were appointed, but one has since resigned.
I may be wrong but commissioners are not paid.
Here is the SAC report.
Notice, there is a lot of anguish in the Bingo area. Seems a majority of the bingo halls want
to operate without supervision, and keep just about all the money raised.

Sunset Advisory Commission Texas Lottery Commission

 

July 2013 Final Results of Sunset Reviews 2012–2013 45

Texas Lottery Commission

H.B. 2197 Anchia (Huffman) Staff Contact: Amy Trost

The 83rd Legislature passed the first Lottery Commission Sunset bill since the agency’s inception

in 1993, but the path was anything but smooth. The controversial nature of the agency’s business

— administering the state lottery and regulating charitable bingo — contributed to the failure of

Sunset bills in 2003 and 2005. While these failures did not threaten the agency’s ability to continue

operating the lottery, this time, concern about the lottery almost led to its abolishment. After initially

voting down House Bill 2197, the House reconsidered, passed the bill, and required a legislative

study regarding eliminating the lottery and the potential revenue impacts of doing so. The dramatic

pendulum swings again demonstrate the tightrope the agency walks in balancing legislators’ disdain

for the lottery with a desire for the money it raises.

Besides continuing the agency, the lottery, and charitable bingo, the passage of House Bill 2197 enacts

several changes that increase the agency’s accountability and effectiveness and seek to increase the

lottery’s contribution to Texas schools. Among other provisions, the bill increases the size of the

Commission to better oversee the business of the agency, especially the agency’s major contracts and

business processes to improve operating efficiency. The bill also eliminates the diversion of leftover

unclaimed prize money currently going to General Revenue to ensure that more lottery money goes

to the Foundation School Fund.

The Sunset review highlighted the deep budget cuts experienced by the agency’s bingo program in

recent years and identified strategies for improving regulation and recovering costs of this regulatory

effort. House Bill 2197 gives the agency regulatory tools and fee flexibility to achieve more effective

bingo regulation. The Legislature also enacted a Sunset Commission recommendation in Senate

Bill 1 to help ensure that appropriations decisions regarding bingo regulation are based on the true

cost of the program and not prize fee revenues passed through to local governments. Senate Bill 1

also expands on Sunset directives for the agency to seek to cover the full cost of bingo regulation by

approving additional funding and staffing to restore the recent budget cuts, contingent on the agency

increasing revenue from licensing fees. These changes will help ensure the agency can more effectively

regulate the complex, cash-based bingo industry.

The following material describes the results of the Commission’s Sunset review and notes which

provisions are management directives not requiring statutory change and which are changes in

appropriation. For additional information see the Texas Lottery Commission Sunset Final Report with

Legislative Action available on the Sunset Commission website at www.sunset.state.tx.us.

Commission Size and Responsibility

zz Increases the Texas Lottery Commission from three to five public members.

zz Requires the Lottery Commission to approve major contracts.

Texas Lottery Commission Sunset Advisory Commission

46 Final Results of Sunset Reviews 2012–2013 July 2013

Legislative Review Committee

zz Establishes a 10-member legislative committee to study both the impact of eliminating the state

lottery and aspects related to the distribution of revenue for charitable bingo.

Unclaimed Lottery Prizes

zz Requires unclaimed lottery prize money that is currently going to General Revenue to be deposited

in the Foundation School Fund.

zz Specifies that if the Legislature appropriates general revenue for the three programs currently

designated to receive unclaimed lottery prize money, then all unclaimed prize money must go to

the Foundation School Fund.

Contracting

zz The Commission should improve collection and dissemination of information about contract

sanctions, outcomes of negotiations, and contract close-out results. (management action –

nonstatutory)

Business Planning

zz Requires the Lottery Commission to develop a comprehensive business plan including specific

evaluations of, and goals tied to, efficiency and performance.

Foreign Language Disclosures

zz Requires the Lottery Commission to adopt rules requiring any scratch-off game ticket that

contains a number of words in another language to include disclosures in that language.

Bingo Regulation and Funding

zz Removes the fixed license amendment fee from statute, and requires the Commission to adjust

fees by rule to cover the costs of processing amendments.

zz Authorizes the agency to charge a fee to cover the costs of adding bingo hall workers to the

Registry of Approved Bingo Workers.

zz Requires the agency to use risk analysis to select licensees for bingo inspections, and put its

inspection policies in rule.

zz Requires the Commission to develop a goal to audit all of the highest-risk bingo licensees within

a certain timeframe, and put its audit policies in rule.

zz The Commission should reassess the full cost of bingo regulation and seek to adjust license fees

and its legislative appropriations request accordingly. (management action – nonstatutory)

Bingo Prize Fees

zz Removes bingo prize fees from the Lottery Commission’s bill pattern. (S.B. 1)

Sunset Advisory Commission Texas Lottery Commission

July 2013 Final Results of Sunset Reviews 2012–2013 47

Bingo and Lottery Licensing Standards

zz Requires the Commission to address felony and misdemeanor convictions in bingo regulation

according to established standards in the Occupations Code.

zz Requires the agency to create a standard bingo license renewal process, and removes the nonstandard

provisions for two-year bingo license fees.

zz Removes the statutory fee levels for bingo manufacturer and distributor licenses.

zz Requires the Commission to develop procedures for the entire complaint process for both bingo

and lottery, including an analysis to identify trends or issues relating to violations and provisions

for reporting on and addressing the trends and issues.

zz Conforms the Lottery Act and Bingo Act to the Commission’s current practice of conducting

hearings through the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

zz Authorizes the Commission to place suspended bingo licensees and registered workers on

probation.

zz Requires the Commission to amend its current bingo penalty schedule to include a full range of

sanctions.

zz Expands the Lottery Commission’s authority to temporarily suspend bingo licenses to prevent

financial losses to the State.

Across-the-Board Recommendations and Reporting Requirements

zz Updates and applies standard Sunset Across-the-Board recommendations to the Lottery

Commission.

zz Eliminates the Commission’s report on lottery tickets sold and prizes awarded and continues the

Commission’s other reports.

Continuation

zz Continues the Texas Lottery Commission for 12 years.

Fiscal Implication

House Bill 2197 will result in a gain to the General Revenue Fund of about $290,000 biennially,

based on the Lottery Commission’s adjustments to bingo licensing fees. The bill will also result in a

gain to the Foundation School Fund of $43.7 million in fiscal year 2014 and $43.9 million in fiscal

year 2015, and a loss to General Revenue in equal amounts. These changes result from the deposit

of unclaimed lottery prize money into the Foundation School Fund that was previously deposited to

General Revenue.

Texas Lottery Commission Sunset Advisory Commission

48 Final Results of Sunset Reviews 2012–2013 July 2013

Goteki54's avatarGoteki54

Why should Texas raise taxes on the rest of Texans (forcing them) to make up the $2 billion, when they are getting the money now from a select few who gives it to the state( by choice) through the lottery??Second, Texas is a destination people move to due to low taxation, raising taxes would go against what it stands for in the eyes so of so many who have relocated there fleeing high taxed states.

MonEl

So they say that they want to take gambling addiction away from the poor?

For what? So they can instead get more alcohol and nicotine?

Why don't they outlaw drinking alcohol instead? Maybe because the rich is also addicted to it?

Maybe let them have their entertainment after all buying lottery tickets might cause less harm than doing some other things like addiction to drugs, drinking alcohol, smoking, Etc.

As to those who run the lotteries, I think that they don't run very honest games, I have never liked pre-draws, post-draws and the companies that they hire to help them with the running of the lottery games.

Instead of doing away with the state lotteries, they should just make the lottery games better for the people who play them.

Right now the state lotteries make too much of a profit.

If there are no state lotteries then there would be no profit.

Maybe there should be state lotteries, but the states should make less profit from them.

Those who play the lottery games should lose less and win more.

And they should do away with pre, post draws, computer draws and whatever else not so honest things that they do.

Casinos are not so good either, if you win too often or too much they might not pay you and you might get permanently banned from playing at all the casinos.

Nobody forces anybody to play the lotteries and the same goes for the casinos.

Why close the state lotteries and not also close the casinos? Is it because the rich play at the casinos?

And don't the poor also play bingo? Are they also closing bingo?

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by KKLK$DAY7 on Jul 26, 2014

Stack47 the exact question arose in my mind. The answer is Gov. Oops and Rafiel Edwardo Cruz( the Canadian senator of Texas). Once or twice a year I travel to Louisiana to to play at the casinos and it never ceases to amaze me the Tx tags I see in the parking lot.  One would think that the money  being spent in Louisiana can be better used here in Texas. Our legislators chooses not to allow casinos nevertheless at almost every mom and pop corner store there is a "game room" the maximum win $500 now that is preying on the poor but I forgot to mention they are for entertainment purposes only with a visible sign on every machine that reads No Cash Payout  yea just take the slip to Baboo he got ya

Before Ohio passed casino gambling legislation, the West Virginia and Indiana casino parking lots were full of Ohio plates too. I haven't been there, but the Cincinnati casinos probably now have lots of KY plates in their parking lots.

Litebets27's avatarLitebets27

Thrifty, the title labels the article.

The WHY the discussion for killing the Texas lottery is taking place is because of the two reason mentioned within.

PrisonerSix

Quote: Originally posted by rcbbuckeye on Jul 25, 2014

If the lottery in Texas goes away, it's a 45 minute drive to Oklahoma to play PB, MM, and Hot Lotto.

And Winstar is right across the Red River.

Or a drive to Louisiana to play Powerball and MegaMillions. Back in 1991 when Louisiana's lottery first started, people drove over from Texas to buy tickets frequently. In fact, one of the highest volume selling lottery stores was in Vinton, LA, less than 10 miles from the state line.

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

Quote: Originally posted by PrisonerSix on Jul 26, 2014

Or a drive to Louisiana to play Powerball and MegaMillions. Back in 1991 when Louisiana's lottery first started, people drove over from Texas to buy tickets frequently. In fact, one of the highest volume selling lottery stores was in Vinton, LA, less than 10 miles from the state line.

If I lived close to La that would be ok. But I'm close to I-35 and Ok.

I don't see the Texas lottery going away anyway.

abjorik

Quote: Originally posted by MonEl on Jul 26, 2014

So they say that they want to take gambling addiction away from the poor?

For what? So they can instead get more alcohol and nicotine?

Why don't they outlaw drinking alcohol instead? Maybe because the rich is also addicted to it?

Maybe let them have their entertainment after all buying lottery tickets might cause less harm than doing some other things like addiction to drugs, drinking alcohol, smoking, Etc.

As to those who run the lotteries, I think that they don't run very honest games, I have never liked pre-draws, post-draws and the companies that they hire to help them with the running of the lottery games.

Instead of doing away with the state lotteries, they should just make the lottery games better for the people who play them.

Right now the state lotteries make too much of a profit.

If there are no state lotteries then there would be no profit.

Maybe there should be state lotteries, but the states should make less profit from them.

Those who play the lottery games should lose less and win more.

And they should do away with pre, post draws, computer draws and whatever else not so honest things that they do.

Casinos are not so good either, if you win too often or too much they might not pay you and you might get permanently banned from playing at all the casinos.

Nobody forces anybody to play the lotteries and the same goes for the casinos.

Why close the state lotteries and not also close the casinos? Is it because the rich play at the casinos?

And don't the poor also play bingo? Are they also closing bingo?

Such a smart post! Very good analysis! I totally agree! The payout should be around 80 percent!

Tialuvslotto's avatarTialuvslotto

Quote: Originally posted by rcbbuckeye on Jul 26, 2014

If I lived close to La that would be ok. But I'm close to I-35 and Ok.

I don't see the Texas lottery going away anyway.

I'm close to Mexico.  Anyone know about their lotteries?

"I don't see the Texas lottery going away anyway."

I Agree!

MonEl

Quote: Originally posted by Tialuvslotto on Jul 27, 2014

I'm close to Mexico.  Anyone know about their lotteries?

"I don't see the Texas lottery going away anyway."

I Agree!

http://www.pronosticos.gob.mx/index.php/en/

https://www.sorteosdeltrebol.mx/player/trebol

http://loteriasdemexico.com/

With the mafia as it is in Mexico, I don't know if it is a good idea to go there and play their lottery games.

They appear to have at least 2 sources of lottery games, the oldest and original one is this one, I think:

http://www.pronosticos.gob.mx/index.php/en/

It might help if you know Spanish.

SkyLine69

I haven't win enough $ yet. Lol don't mess with Texas congress.  Hey wait a minute. Let's put Rick Perry on that committee.  He'll have them so screwed up they will forget what they were voting for lol

Technics

Texas lottery isnt going anywhere until they figure out how to fill the void of that 2 billion dollar whole it will create if they kill it.

bobby623's avatarbobby623

Texas sheep (voters) have elected a bunch of stupid, tightwad politicians who really want to kill the Golden Goose.
Fortunately, at present, they don't have enough power to kill the lottery, or the guts to raise taxes.
If they do win, woe to an already under funded school system.

The fact that Oklahoma Indian Casino operators are contributing to the Republican candidate for Texas Governor
sort of suggests the anti-gambling fever is perhaps not as strong as it once was.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the new jackpot game coming in October!

RedStang's avatarRedStang

I wouldn't care if they ended the lottery, but they ban deep fried twinkies at the State fair, I'm calling my friend The Reverend Al Sharpton.  No Justice No Peace  No Justice No Peace  He'll fix those longhorns.

TnTicketlosers's avatarTnTicketlosers

Number 3 most corrupted state in our union,,,start with TENNESSEE

Litebets27's avatarLitebets27

Quote: Originally posted by RedStang on Jul 27, 2014

I wouldn't care if they ended the lottery, but they ban deep fried twinkies at the State fair, I'm calling my friend The Reverend Al Sharpton.  No Justice No Peace  No Justice No Peace  He'll fix those longhorns.

LOL LOL !!

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Technics on Jul 27, 2014

Texas lottery isnt going anywhere until they figure out how to fill the void of that 2 billion dollar whole it will create if they kill it.

Texas lottery is not going to drive as a business, if it does not pay back more than 50% in prizes to lottery players. It is sucking dry those players that play BIG in TEXAS.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by RedStang on Jul 27, 2014

I wouldn't care if they ended the lottery, but they ban deep fried twinkies at the State fair, I'm calling my friend The Reverend Al Sharpton.  No Justice No Peace  No Justice No Peace  He'll fix those longhorns.

 I would buy deep fried Twinkies over a lottery ticket. LOL

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by bobby623 on Jul 27, 2014

Texas sheep (voters) have elected a bunch of stupid, tightwad politicians who really want to kill the Golden Goose.
Fortunately, at present, they don't have enough power to kill the lottery, or the guts to raise taxes.
If they do win, woe to an already under funded school system.

The fact that Oklahoma Indian Casino operators are contributing to the Republican candidate for Texas Governor
sort of suggests the anti-gambling fever is perhaps not as strong as it once was.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the new jackpot game coming in October!

Tickets will cost $5. Five dollars draw games is the future.

mikeintexas's avatarmikeintexas

Quote: Originally posted by bobby623 on Jul 27, 2014

Texas sheep (voters) have elected a bunch of stupid, tightwad politicians who really want to kill the Golden Goose.
Fortunately, at present, they don't have enough power to kill the lottery, or the guts to raise taxes.
If they do win, woe to an already under funded school system.

The fact that Oklahoma Indian Casino operators are contributing to the Republican candidate for Texas Governor
sort of suggests the anti-gambling fever is perhaps not as strong as it once was.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the new jackpot game coming in October!

Not quite for sure how to reply to this.  I ordinarily take offense at non-Texans criticizing the Great State of Texas, but since you live here, then I'll try to be as polite as I can.

Texas sheep?  So, are you saying you don't vote?  If you do, then you're one of those sheep and if you don't, then you really can't gripe.  (I've always maintained that school board elections are more important than presidential elections - politics is always local, you see, and at the risk of sounding like a bleeding heart liberal, our children really ARE our future.) I do think you're correct in that they don't have enough power, but it would take more than guts for a state politician to raise taxes, it would take a leave of their senses and they most likely would be voted out their next election and rightfully so. 

"....woe be to an already under funded school system."   I don't think it's so much under funded but woefully mismanaged.  Forget all the statistics about how Texas ranks near the bottom in the statistics;  accounting for the cost of living, Texas teachers move way up the list in pay and money spent per student rises proportionally as well.  (not sure exactly, but Texas used to rank #2 in money spent per student) Seems to me we're not getting our "big bang" for the buck spent.   Test scores are skewed too, by the huge influx of illegal's children.  (that's way too involved to go into in a single post, though)  Texas spends more than enough on education;  it simply needs to spend the budget more wisely.   We definitely need to get the Dept. of Education out of our "bidness" - the "Robin Hood" law was the worst thing  to happen to Texas education. (sure, it gave poor districts more money, but it lowered the education in the richer ones and wound up lowering the mean/avg. overall)  To sum it up, the progressive SOP of throwing money at a problem has NEVER worked, not once, not ever and never will.  We need to fix what's broken in the system and flooding it with more money will not solve the problem.  Give the power...and the money...back to local districts and watch Texas education thrive as it once did.

I did not know that about Indian casinos donating to the Republican candidate for Gov.  I have a good online friend - an Indian - who works for the OK. Indian Gaming Commission, I will have to ask him about that. If what you say is true, then it's fairly clear to me that they're protecting their own interests and hoping to keep casino gambling from being legal in Texas. Be that as it may,  I don't see an "anti-gambling fever'" here in Texas.

sully16's avatarsully16

Quote: Originally posted by mikeintexas on Jul 27, 2014

Not quite for sure how to reply to this.  I ordinarily take offense at non-Texans criticizing the Great State of Texas, but since you live here, then I'll try to be as polite as I can.

Texas sheep?  So, are you saying you don't vote?  If you do, then you're one of those sheep and if you don't, then you really can't gripe.  (I've always maintained that school board elections are more important than presidential elections - politics is always local, you see, and at the risk of sounding like a bleeding heart liberal, our children really ARE our future.) I do think you're correct in that they don't have enough power, but it would take more than guts for a state politician to raise taxes, it would take a leave of their senses and they most likely would be voted out their next election and rightfully so. 

"....woe be to an already under funded school system."   I don't think it's so much under funded but woefully mismanaged.  Forget all the statistics about how Texas ranks near the bottom in the statistics;  accounting for the cost of living, Texas teachers move way up the list in pay and money spent per student rises proportionally as well.  (not sure exactly, but Texas used to rank #2 in money spent per student) Seems to me we're not getting our "big bang" for the buck spent.   Test scores are skewed too, by the huge influx of illegal's children.  (that's way too involved to go into in a single post, though)  Texas spends more than enough on education;  it simply needs to spend the budget more wisely.   We definitely need to get the Dept. of Education out of our "bidness" - the "Robin Hood" law was the worst thing  to happen to Texas education. (sure, it gave poor districts more money, but it lowered the education in the richer ones and wound up lowering the mean/avg. overall)  To sum it up, the progressive SOP of throwing money at a problem has NEVER worked, not once, not ever and never will.  We need to fix what's broken in the system and flooding it with more money will not solve the problem.  Give the power...and the money...back to local districts and watch Texas education thrive as it once did.

I did not know that about Indian casinos donating to the Republican candidate for Gov.  I have a good online friend - an Indian - who works for the OK. Indian Gaming Commission, I will have to ask him about that. If what you say is true, then it's fairly clear to me that they're protecting their own interests and hoping to keep casino gambling from being legal in Texas. Be that as it may,  I don't see an "anti-gambling fever'" here in Texas.

Cheers Well said Mike.

mikeintexas's avatarmikeintexas

Quote: Originally posted by sully16 on Jul 28, 2014

Cheers Well said Mike.

Thanks Sully.  I have a sister and BIL who are both educators (and so are both their daughters/my nieces) and I learned to not trust their biased opinions on the problems in the Texas educational system.  In a nutshell, it was always "we need more money" and "you can't judge teachers by how well the students are doing".   It made me do a lot of reading on it.  I don't have children, but I DO pay school taxes and want to make sure that money is wisely spent.

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