Illinois Senate president hopes to expand lottery

Comment #11

Todd — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:59:16 GMT

I don't think you've researched the law very deeply. Transporting gambling materials by common carriers (or courier , as you say) across state lines is illegal, unless specifically allowed by agreement between states. I know of no agreement between any states for the allowance of cross-state lottery sales, and in fact my understanding is that the states are very much against such a thing.

Just because you personally enjoy playing the lottery in this manner, it is unwise to make blanket statem... [ More ]

Comment #10

myturn — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:32:51 GMT

Massachusetts is not doing anything illegal, the law forbids the USPS form being uses to transport lottery tickets, so they use a courier. It is willing buyer and willing seller, people are not forced to call the lottery and buy subscriptions.

Comment #9

myturn — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:27:27 GMT

Illinois should introduce online sales, the UK does it and the sky has not fallen in. They should also expand their subscription service and allow people outside the state to participate. Massachusetts permits this and it raises extra revenue for the state.

Comment #8

Todd — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:45:19 GMT

I know what you mean, but the Massachusetts arrangement has not been tested in court, so I'm not big on doing it. However, the butler service concept HAS been tested in court, and it has won every time. The only problem these days is most of the sites don't really buy the tickets, so overall trying to play lotto games over the Internet is risky or outright scandalous.

Comment #7

ThatScaryChick — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:30:52 GMT

What the Massachusetts subscription? I hope not. I am playing it.

Comment #6

mjwinsmith — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:26:13 GMT

I am with you, it's illegal. The courts are going to have to sort this out.

Comment #5

Think — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:32:14 GMT

Of course it is the AGs opinion that it's illegal. They don't want their states losing the dollars to other states. I will beleive it is illegal when they prove it.

Comment #4

konane — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:42:20 GMT

Agree, however wish all would reconsider and amend laws from the feds on down. It's time.

From an environmental standpoint just think of the gas people would save, pollution that wouldn't be created, global warming that wouldn't be generated if we could just purchase over the internet.

Comment #3

time*treat — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:41:55 GMT

Cullerton thinks new technology and fresh ideas could help Illinois facing what could be a $9 billion hole in next year's budget dramatically boost lottery revenues.

Here's a fresh idea -- Cut the budget by $9 billion.

Comment #2

Todd — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:22:10 GMT

It is untested waters. Massachusetts may be doing something illegal (according to many states' AG).

Comment #1

JimmySand9 — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:06:55 GMT

Well, as we've heard before, Massachusetts sells subscriptions over the phone to people out of state. So I dont see why Illinois selling individual tickets over the internet to out-of-staters would be illegal, seeing the precedent Massachusetts has set.

Illinois Senate president hopes to expand lottery

Lottery Post — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:38:12 GMT

Internet sales being contemplated

Hoping to squeeze more money out of the state lottery, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton wants to sell tickets online and hire a private company to manage and market the games.

Cullerton thinks new technology and fresh ideas could help Illinois facing what could be a $9 billion hole in next year's budget dramatically boost lottery revenues.

I would venture to say you could potentially even double it, the Chicago Democrat said in a recent intervi... [ More ]