Is Lotto Education’s Answer?

Many states use state lotteries to bring in money to their educational system. New York is one of the biggest funders of education through their lottery, with millions going to it every year. With over 700 state school districts badly in need of funding, the state lottery is the perfect way to take care of that need – or is it?

Back in 1967, when they first offered lottery tickets, people would pay $1 for a chance at a monthly drawing – and they could win up to $100,000. Now tickets are as high as $20, and people are winning up to $315 million – and drawings are held every day of the year except Christmas.

However, New York has seen their lottery profits start to drop recently – over the past 10 years they have only made their projections three times. Critics think that it might be time to re-evaluate the system and perhaps get rid of the lottery. They think that the money spent running the lottery might be better used collecting unpaid taxes instead of running a leaky boat.

Because of their shortages, the General Fund has had to make up the difference, and many think that it is just a matter of time before that won’t be enough anymore. The state is trying to bring in electronic slot machines instead – hoping that they will boost sales and hence bring in more revenue for the schools. The slot machines seem to be gaining in both popularity and in locations – they have more than thirteen thousand of the games out across the state.


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