The Georgia Lottery Corporation is lobbying against any form of federal legislation that would limit online gambling in the US, according to various reports.
The corporation, which began selling tickets via the internet in November 2012, warned customers it would be forced to shut down its online sales channels and cancel current lottery options if a ban is enforced.
Since launching the online ticket sales service, Georgia Lottery has generated over $6.6 million (€5 million) for various good causes in the state.
However, lottery officials has said that if a ban were to be introduced, this would block the organisation from paying prizes electronically or conducting second chance drawings online.
Debbie Dlugolenski Alford, the lottery’s head, said in a letter to a US House attorney that a ban would have a negative impact on the state’s lottery operations.
“Innovative and effective methods of increasing revenues are central to keep up with rising costs of providing education, and the incremental sales growth provided by this channel plays a vital role in that effort,” she said.
State Govenor Nathan Deal is yet to confirm his stance, despite having met with Sheldon Adelson, chairman of casino and resort company Las Vegas Sand Corporation, who is funding an anti-online gambling campaign.
In a recent interview with the Politico website, Deal said: “Politics requires a large sum of money nowadays to be successful, and it’s nice to have people like Sheldon who are willing to support causes they believe in.”
source : www.igamingbusiness.com
