N.C.’s risky bet
Thursday, March 30th, 2006
By Chris Fitzsimon
New lottery imposes new responsibilities on government
North Carolina’s social culture takes another turn today with the sale of the first state lottery tickets in modern history. The hoopla surrounding the new N.C. Education Lottery evokes the consumer excitement that legalization of liquor by the drink generated 28 years ago — and similar concerns about the state’s direction.
For much of the 20th century, North Carolina followed a distinctly conservative path. The state didn’t ratify the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote until 1971. N.C. governors were not allowed to serve two consecutive terms until 1977. The sale of liquor by the drink was banned until 1978. The lottery was outlawed until today.
But with surrounding states operating lotteries and a governor who wanted one to boost education, the legislature approved what opinion polls show people want. The first scratch-off games will be available today. Bigger payoffs will follow, including the multi-state Powerball game.
North Carolina was the last East Coast state to approve a lottery, and did so last year by the thinnest of margins. A lottery bill passed 61-59 in the House last spring and wound up tied in the Senate last summer. Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue cast the tie- breaker to give the state a lottery.
The House version banned advertising except at points of sale, a stricture that helped it pass in that chamber. But the final version allows much more advertising, including broadcast and billboards. That was just one of the disturbing episodes in the adoption of the bill. (more…)
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