Lottery Commission Seeks Hike In Prizes

Wednesday, December 19th 2007, 9:52 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State lottery officials want the legislature to remove a requirement that 35 % of lottery profits be sent to education. Lottery Commission director Jim Scroggins says the money would be used instead to increase prize money and he says that would increase sales and mean more money for schools in the long run.

Lottery officials say the lottery will provide about $71.6 million to education this year but the amount will drop to about $70.7 million by 2010 if the 35 % rule remains.

The lottery officials say if the 35 % rule is dropped they expect education would get more than $75.5 million in 2010.

Governor Brad Henry says he hasn't seen the specific proposal but says he's open to any suggestion that would eventually mean more money for schools.