If someone walks into a New Hampshire corner store and walks away with a $160 million lottery ticket, the store owner's takeaway is capped at $30,000, the lowest such retail lottery cap in the United States.
The NH Lottery Commission would like to increase that possible retail jackpot to $75,000, a 150 percent raise, although it would still lag behind Massachusetts's $100,000.
Not that that those jackpot happen very often, mind you. A $3 million or more hit — enough to reach that cap — only strikes the Granite State once every five years, according to the fiscal note on House Bill 444. But that note was written before a $5.75 million Lucky for Life ticket was sold at a Manchester Hannaford supermarket on March 3.
Retailers make their money on nickels and pennies, literally: a nickel for every dollar of lottery tickets sold, and a penny for every dollar of winnings, with a few other incentives thrown in. All of those coins add up to about $16 million for retailers in total commissions, with another million or so for their share of the winnings.
However, even there New Hampshire is behind neighboring states. Maine pays 7 percent on ticket sales, and Vermont 5.75 percent, though they have the same low cap on big winnings. Massachusetts has a 5 percent base, but with that enticing higher cap.
So what's another $45,000 twice a decade?
"Nothing," said Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the NH Lottery Commission. "That's why it passed the Senate so easily."
HB444 was sponsored by Sen. Jeff Woodburn, D-Dalton, who in his former life as a journalist once wrote about how one storeowner shared his jackpot with employees.
"I've seen it happen all the time," McIntyre said. "They pay their taxes, and then the rest is found money. Everybody gets a bonus. It's nice," he said.
Way to go NH, the first state in the Union with a lottery...called Sweepstakes way back when. Shame in Washington State for taking away bonuses for retailers.
Congratulations to New Hampshire! You are taking the high road and being generous. Keep it up.
"You are taking the high road and being generous."
I don't know how anyone could read the article and come to that conclusion. They're currently paying retailers about $17 million per year, and expect this "increase" to average out to about $9,000 per year. That's an increase of a whopping 0.052%. It's the equivalent of having a salary of $100,000 per year and having your boss tell you, "Congratulations! You're getting a raise of $1 a week." The catch is that all but 2 of the retailers in the state won't even get the dollar.
It's the lottery! Most of the retailers will get nothing extra. The two per decade who sell the big winners will receive an extra $45K. That's exactly how it works with players. Many get nothing, a few get a huge jackpot. And I bet the retailers who sell the big winners will appreciate the extra 150% bonus.
Maybe this will make them get off their behinds and train clerks better so players are more likely to come buy tickets at their store, giving the stores themselves a better chance of winning the bigger bonus.
" Every 5 years", don't think anyone is holding their breath waiting for the extra bonus.
Once in every five years.....in the same state 'Steve Player' is....... 'do the math' on that.
The New Hampshire Lottery could increase revenue by expanding it's subscription service.
"To purchase a subscription via this Web site, both the purchaser and recipient must have New Hampshire mailing addresses."
New Hampshire Lottery FAQ
The neighboring state of Massachusetts offers a subscription service for Megabucks Doubler, which is available across the country.
What are you guys waiting for? It's way overdue.
True, and I've traveled to different states and even in person you cannot get a subscription ticket to the FEW states that offer it unless you have an address in that state from a Driver's license. On a side note won $10 on Mega Millions in KY last night. I never check my Massachusetts tickets, just wait for the check to come!
No such luck for that Washington State retailer who came away with nothing but a press conference. Given that these guys are forbidden to play the game, sounds fair that they be compensated accordingly. Two thumbs way up!
One improvement I would like to see with Massachusetts subscriptions, would be to credit small prizes to subscription accounts.
Such credits could be used upon renewal, or cashed in later, as is the case with New York subscriptions.
It would be very convenient for subscribers, and more efficient for the lottery. A win-win!
A 30,000 payoff to the store owner for a 160 million dollar winning ticket speaks for itself. "GREED"! This is the way of corporate America. Lottery retailers have a lot to do. From dealing with customers to maintenance. Much less when the jackpot is big the long lines of people, attitudes, etc.. It's about time to cough up a few extra bucks Commissioner!