Georgia Lottery Asks Officials Not to Ban Internet Gambling in the US

The organization says its online gambling site has helped increase profits, and is now lobbying against the ban.

Under the current American gambling laws, only a few states have legalized online casinos or internet poker. However, some state lotteries have been selling tickets via the internet for years. All this could change if a ban is enforced.

Since residents of Georgia have been able to purchase tickets via the internet, the Georgia Lottery has generated more than $6.6 million. The money was used to support various good causes in the state.

But now the Georgia Lottery Corporation is taking a stand and warning customers that it might be forced to shut down online sales channels and services. This means the organization would not be able to pay prizes electronically anymore, or conduct drawings online.

Online tickets, vital to the Lottery’s success

Lottery chief Debbie Dlugolenski Alford sent a letter to a US House attorney, saying that banning internet gambling in the US would have a negative impact on the organization’s activity.

“Innovative and effective methods of increasing revenues are central to keep up with rising costs of providing education, and the incremental sales growth provided by this channel plays a vital role in that effort,” she wrote.

State Govenor Nathan Deal met with casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, who is financing an anti-online gambling campaign. The Governor is yet to confirm his stance, but he recently told a local newspaper: “Politics requires a large sum of money nowadays to be successful, and it’s nice to have people like Sheldon who are willing to support causes they believe in.”