The Ohio Lottery Profit Review Commission (LPRC) released its draft report last week after holding several meetings to discuss why state lottery tickets sales had fallen and how to improve them, including possible Internet ticket sales.
The Commission attributed a decrease in ticket sales in Ohio mainly to competing gambling opportunities. Ohio residents have been spending their gambling dollars on various nearby state lotteries, and visiting riverboat casinos and off-track betting parlors licensed in other states. In addition,
it's believed that Ohioans will spend $165 million on Net betting sites by 2001.
The draft report contains an overview discussing Internet lottery ticket sales, which briefly touches upon the pros and cons of such a move. The LPRC, however, is uncertain of its authority to pursue Internet sales and advised the governor and state assembly to decide whether it should be pursued.
Additionally, individual commissioners may have further suggestions in their personal recommendations. The deadline for submitting such material was March 20. The comments have not been made public as of yet.
Click here to view the report.