State targets lottery winnings for child support

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State officials are targeting lottery winnings as part of an effort to collect delinquent child support payments.<br/><br/>The Oklahoma Commission for Human Services is adopting a

Wednesday, December 7th 2005, 8:53 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State officials are targeting lottery winnings as part of an effort to collect delinquent child support payments.

The Oklahoma Commission for Human Services is adopting a rule to garnish lottery winnings from people who owe child support or money to a former spouse.

The Department of Human Services has been taking similar action since the lottery started. But officials say the new rule provides greater enforcement and an appeals process.

Gary Dart with DHS says one of the first winners of a $5,000 lottery ticket had to give up all the money when it was found he owed more than $7,000 in child support.

DHS is also talking with horse track officials and Indian casino operators about implementing a similar system to check winners for unpaid debts to the state.