Wednesday, May 10, 2000
Big Game a big drain on Ohio Lottery
$350 million jackpot siphons sales from state
By Spencer Hunt
Enquirer Columbus Bureau
COLUMBUS — The $350 million Big Game jackpot is clobbering Ohio Lottery sales as it lures thousands of Buckeye State residents across the Michigan border to play.
Ohio's Super Lotto sales in the northwest region of the state are off by at least $9.4 million since April 15, a dramatic 9 percent drop lottery officials blame on the super-sized jackpot.
On the flip side, the $350 million prize has spurred record sales in Big Game states Michigan, Illinois, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia.
The Big Game's shadow stretched into Columbus on Tuesday, where lawmakers held a hearing on a bill that would let Ohio join a multi state lotto as one way to turn around the state's sagging lottery revenues.
“Nothing illustrates the need for this bill more than what is happening right now,” said Rep. J. Donald Mottley, R-West Carollton. “Michigan is in the largest multistate jackpot in history and Ohio's sales are down.”
The Big Game is only the most recent headache for the Ohio Lottery, which has seen overall sales slump to $2.1 billion last year from 2.4 billion in 1996. Lottery officials blame the decline on riverboat casinos in neighboring states and on the popular Powerball lotto offered in Kentucky and in Indiana.
The Kentucky Lottery, for example, estimates $11 million of its $111 million in Powerball sales last year came from Cincinnati and other southern Ohio communities.
The Big Game's pull on Ohio pocketbooks could far surpass $9.4 million, said Brent Schull, the Ohio Lottery's northwest region manager.
Mr. Schull began tracking Super Lotto sales April 15, one day after no one won the Big Game's $46 million jackpot. As the Big Game's jackpot grew, Super Lotto sales through May 3 dropped to $94.1 million from $103.5 million in the same time period last year.
Ohio's total loss to Michigan should be even higher once this week's Super Lotto figures are tabulated. The overall drop in Super Lotto sales won't include those Ohio residents who buy tickets only when jackpots swell to record sizes, Mr. Schull said.
Michigan Lottery spokeswoman Sarah Lapshan says this one jackpot has raked in $82 million worth of Big Game tickets, sending $29 million to help fund public schools. Last year's Big Game ticket sales sent $63.3 million to Michigan schools.
Ohio Lottery profits also help fund public education. But while Ohio legislative leaders agree something must be done to pump up the lottery, none appears willing to deal with the issue this year.
“I do not see us moving a bill to the (House) floor before we leave,” said House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson, R-Reynoldsburg. “We have to get a feel where the caucus members are on it, and I don't have that right now.”
Mr. Mottley, however, was optimistic lawmakers will pass his bill next year.
“The question is, when people want to play a big jackpot game, will they buy the ticket in Ohio, so Ohio schoolchildren benefit?” he said. “Or will they get it in some neighboring state where there is no benefit?”
Latest news on $350 million winner
Deefield ponders/Nordstrom's cost
RADEL: Price tag
A closer look at Nordstrom
City council concerned about Warren store
KIESEWETTER: $30M contract proves Springer's resilience
A.M. REPORT
Auditor waives right to jury for trial
Big Game a big drain on Ohio Lottery
Chiquita's Hagin joins Bush staff
Elie Wiesel looks for meaning
Ex-school official denied in Ky.
Get to it
Getting tough on child-support payments bringing results
Kings schools ready to build
Lebanon city manager's actions probed
Man sought in drug thefts
Monroe measure aims to restrict Bristol's
Nuclear workers aid plan offered
Oxford EMS gets due thanks
Plan OK'd to divvy Middletown, Monroe teachers
Professor: Book overstates lack of objectivity
Robbery case goes to court
Six schools add social services
Springdale schoolkids take hands-on approach
Sundae raises spoons, awareness
Tax case fallout causes worries
Teen to be tried as adult in killing
The Arts Life: A theater is born
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
