Sen. Lerblance Files Bill to Improve State Lottery

State Senator Richard Lerblance recently filed legislation to help improve Oklahoma’s state lottery. SB 1279 would eliminate the requirement that net proceeds must equal at least 35 percent of the gross proceeds.

“The U.S. Census Bureau and our state’s lottery officials have both suggested that Oklahoma could get a better return from its lottery if we loosened some rules, and that’s exactly what this bill does,” said Lerblance, D-Hartshorne. “We’re facing one of the largest revenue shortfalls in our state’s history and we need to pass legislation to help produce new revenue, and my bill will help do that.”

In 2008, Oklahoma net sales totaled just over $200 million, ranking 36th among the country’s 42 lotteries according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Nearly $113 million was given as prizes for a 45.2 percent payoff percentage, which was the fourth-lowest in the nation.

“Both Texas and North Carolina have improved their bottom lines by loosening restrictions on proceeds, and it’s time Oklahoma follows suit,” said Lerblance. “This simple change will greatly benefit our state by bringing in new revenues, and most importantly it’ll benefit our children by infusing more money into our education system.”