Lottery Chair ‘Disappointed’ in New Law
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Hoosier Lottery leaders are reacting publicly for the first time to a new law blocking online lottery games unless the legislature okays it.
Lottery commission chairman Bill Zielke says he’s “disappointed” at the law, which legislators pushed through in less than three weeks after reports the lottery was considering smartphone versions of its games. 12 states already offer e-lottery games, including all four of Indiana’s neighbors.
Zielke notes the lottery’s official mission is to maximize revenue for the state in a socially responsible manner, and says the commission should be “entrepreneurial” in finding new ways to reach players.
But Zielke says the required General Assembly green light is just an additional step in the process. He and lottery director Sarah Taylor both say it’s the legislature’s right to set the ground rules, and the lottery will follow them.
Taylor says the lottery hadn’t made a firm decision to offer digital games before the law, and may or may not pursue it with legislators now.