Senate approves bill prohibiting use of kids in lottery ads

The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 42 Wednesday, by Sen. Earl Garrison, prohibiting the use of children in the advertising and promotion of the Oklahoma Education Lottery.

“While I’ve never agreed with using gambling to help support education, I can’t argue with the success of the education lottery. It has helped contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to Oklahoma classrooms,” said Garrison, D-Muskogee. “I, however, don’t think it is right to use children to promote gambling. I think it sends the wrong message to our youth; and I’m pleased my colleagues agree. The Lottery Commission has many other options they can use to promote their games. They don’t need to use kids.”

To date, the Oklahoma Education Lottery has contributed over $385 million to both common and higher education in the state.

SB 42 will now move to the House for further consideration