In my opinion, the following states will get a lottery:
1. Arkansas - In 2000, 65% of Arkansas voters declined to establish a state lottery and permit casinos. However, February 2004 a poll indicated that 71% of those polled were opposed to paying more in income taxes to support public school and would rather have a lottery to support public school. November 2004, Question #1, the property tax increase for education, failed in Arkansas.
2. Alaska – I would make this state #1, but it is just too big with a very small population.
In 2003, a number of Alaska’s state legislators supported a lottery and video poker proposal. In late 2003, a poll indicated that 67 % of Alaskans favor a (state or multi-state) lottery. May 2004, state House of Representatives passed a proposal that would allow cities of 150,000 or more to establish legalized casino gambling. Furthermore, an Act establishing a state lottery is currently in the House Ways and Means Committee.
3. Wyoming - February 2001, the House defeated a proposal to join 21 other states in the Powerball lottery. March 1, 2004, a proposal to create a state lottery allowing Wyoming residents to play Powerball officially died. The measure failed 33-27.
In my opinion, the following states will never get a lottery: Alabama - In 2004, a constitutional amendment to repeal state’s ban on lotteries and full fledged casinos failed.
Hawaii - The state is free of any form of legalized gambling. Most citizens work extremely hard to keep the lottery and other forms of gambling out of their state. According to the Associated Press, “McCarran Airport reported 690,772 traveled to and from Hawaii in 2003.” Hawaii only has a population of 1.2 million, but it is in the top 12 for visitation to Las Vegas.” I assume that the airline industry and Las Vegas would fight extremely hard to keep gambling out of Hawaii in order to protect its Hawaii to Las Vegas business.
Mississippi - The gambling industry will continue to keep out any other competitor.
Nevada - The gambling industry will continue to keep out any other competitor.
Utah – Religious issues and the state is free of any form of legalized gambling.
