TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas Lottery players soon might be able to buy tickets from vending machines.
The House voted this week in support of the move, which the state lottery has sought for three years.
Lottery spokeswoman Sally Lunsford said the measure would increase lottery revenue and cut labor costs for retailers, where ticket buyers could bypass clerks and use the self-service machines. She said 37 other states, including Missouri, Colorado and Oklahoma, use the machines.
Vending machines have increased lottery sales by up to 50 percent in other states, Lunsford said. Kansas is counting on $12 million in revenue growth over two years. Lottery sales have increased most years since the late 1980s, and revenue hit a record last year at $78 million.
Susan Goedde, communications manager with the Missouri Lottery, said that state installed 300 new machines in 2015, which boosted monthly sales at those retailers by 11.8 percent.
The Kansas vending machine revenue would be devoted to community mental health centers and other mental health services.
"We desperately need that," said Overland Park Republican Rep. Stephanie Clayton, who voted for the bill. "I'm vice chair of social services budget, and I can tell you first-hand how dire that situation is."
Revenue from existing lottery games goes to a variety of state functions including economic development and prison construction and maintenance.
The extra mental health money would be beneficial, said Derby Republican Rep. Blake Carpenter. But he said he voted against the bill because he didn't think it did enough to prevent purchases by minors.
Lunsford said the lottery would use machines equipped with remotes that allow clerks to turn off machines when they see someone who might be underage trying to buy a ticket. Officials in Colorado and Missouri said their machines have the same remotes, and some in Colorado require the buyer to scan his or her driver's license.
But Carpenter said it's not always easy for a clerk to be watching or tell if someone's underage. And if a minor did manage to buy a ticket, he said, they could have an adult turn it in, bypassing the bill's provision against allowing minors to redeem winning tickets.
Democratic Rep. John Carmichael, of Wichita, also opposed the bill, saying he didn't think the bill would prevent minors from buying tickets and that he's generally opposed to state-sponsored gambling.
"The state should not be involved in promoting gambling, especially when the state takes a higher percentage of the handle, the wagers, the bets, than even a bookmaker on the street," he said.
The House passed the measure 100 to 25 Thursday. In the Senate, the bill will be referred to the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, and Chairman Sen. Jake LaTurner said he plans to hold a vote on it.
Opposition to the lottery is like poking your finger into a leaking dam. You only have ten fingers.
I will oppose video lottery terminals here in California. They are too addicting. The State has plenty of Indian casinos where you can play the slots. Poker slots, etc..
All in favor of self service lottery machines. Love them in Kentucky and am biased since they are IGT machines.
Now on to Indiana where our Mega Millions ticket was purchased a couple of hours ago...time to win. Not to forget about Powerball, she was bought too. (never seen a self service machine in Indiana come to think of it).
"Love them in Kentucky"
You must love putting money into a machine only to find out the play slip scanner for online games doesn't work. The Keno players would "love" those machines if they gave change or a voucher, but they don't. I guess the scratch-off players might "love" them, but I doubt any of them can tell the difference between buying tickets from the machine or from the clerk.
The self serve ticket vending technology had been around for years and it's sad that the KY Lottery is using obsolete machines. Every see a "correct $ amount only" or one with a malfunctioning scanner at Walmart or any of the many other stores with self serve check out machines?
I know it's just your opinion but are you fine if people start opposing the stuff you want to do?
"They are too addicting."
If you have a gambling or potential gambling problem, you should call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sometimes the one by I-64-Pilot is out. I will give it to you, the customer service is NOT KY lottery, but IGT. You either get the call center in RI or GA. Being a New Englander I prefer Rhode Island customer service and have had better luck with them vs. GA. Being hard-headed @ times I will tell them I'm a shareholder in IGT, but most folks could care less and get crappy service even from them.
What I do is put the ticket to be scanned in first to see if the machine does work. Then put money in and scan the playslip or just hit the button on top.
I personally do not play scratchers and wish I kept my mouth shut finding winners @ Pilot in the trash in Simpsonville. One was for $200!!
If people have a different opinion than what I want then they are free to act upon it.
It is my two cents worth v. them. Thank You for the 1 - 800- number.
The KY Lottery made a huge mistake when they put 4 minute Keno in all their retailers because not many clerks understand the timing of the game. Players don't want to get shut out only to see their numbers drawn. Can't blame the clerks, but if their vending machines worked properly that would solve that problem.
Some stores have two vending machines; one for just scratch-offs and another for scratch-offs and online games.
An opinion is one thing, but opposing something just because it's not for you is another. If people like you prevent a lottery from offering something other players want, those players are not free to act on it. Besides the people in most states with a lottery voted for it.
Basically you don't like the way they are selling lottery tickets?
I am opposed to VLTs Video Lottery Terminals here in California in non-Indian casinos. I am not opposed to the Lottery in any State. I do agree with your 1 - 800 - Gambler advice. I will support that.
I'm confused to what is a VLT? Here you put a play slip in a slot or mash the button that you want to play. When I hear VLT I think more of a slot machine. There certainly is nothing video about these machines here, OH, or RI that I've played. Maybe that's just the nomenclature?? Anyway I like them; have yet to find one in Indiana though.
Hi Bleudog101, A VLT is short for Video Lottery Terminal. I have noticed that Oregon has them and they are very profitable for the State. They are called Lottery because that is what Oregon Lottery wants. The video gaming terminal can be for card games like poker or slots.