Is Idaho getting rid of the Lottery?

The Idaho lottery has been the subject of much debate recently, with some state lawmakers proposing to eliminate it entirely. This has naturally caused concern among those who enjoy playing lottery games in Idaho, as well as uncertainty about what would happen to lottery revenues that currently fund various state programs.

In this article, we’ll examine the key questions around this issue:

  • What exactly has been proposed regarding eliminating the Idaho lottery?
  • What are the main arguments for and against getting rid of it?
  • How much lottery revenue currently goes to state programs, and what impact would losing it have?
  • What do Idaho residents think about the lottery and the proposal to end it?
  • What has happened when other states have eliminated their lotteries in the past?
  • What could happen next with the Idaho lottery debate?

Examining these questions will provide insight into the lottery’s role in Idaho currently and what the implications would be if it came to an end.

What exactly has been proposed regarding eliminating the Idaho lottery?

In January 2023, Idaho House Representative Heather Scott introduced legislation proposing to end the Idaho lottery entirely. HB0022 would repeal the sections of Idaho law that created the state lottery and established the Idaho State Lottery Commission.

The bill argues that government-run gambling operations like the lottery contradict conservative values and principles. It states that the lottery “relies upon the weaknesses of human character” and that state government should not profit from this or promote any form of gambling.

HB0022 would require the Lottery Commission to halt lottery ticket sales and draw games by January 1, 2024. It would also require all unclaimed prize money to be transferred to the state’s public school income fund and prohibit the commission from operating any new games or promotions beyond January 2023.

The bill does not outline precisely how winding down the lottery operations would work. But it makes clear the intention behind Representative Scott’s proposal – to fully eliminate the Idaho lottery in the near future.

Key Details

  • Introduced in January 2023 by Rep. Heather Scott
  • Seeks to repeal sections of Idaho law that created the lottery
  • Would require halting ticket sales and draws by Jan 1, 2024
  • Unclaimed prizes to be transferred to public schools
  • No new games or promotions allowed after Jan 2023

What are the main arguments for and against getting rid of the Idaho lottery?

There are reasonable arguments on both sides of this issue. Here are some of the main points made by those who support eliminating the Idaho lottery versus those who want to keep it:

Arguments for Getting Rid of the Lottery

  • It contradicts conservative values against gambling and reliance on chance
  • People waste money on lottery tickets that could be better spent elsewhere
  • Lottery tickets are effectively a regressive tax on the poor
  • The state shouldn’t fund programs using monies from a gambling operation
  • The lottery can fuel addictive gambling habits
  • School funding would continue without lottery revenues

Arguments Against Eliminating the Lottery

  • Idaho citizens voted to approve the lottery – it respects their choice
  • Lottery funds support important state programs like education
  • Eliminating it takes away revenues currently funding key programs
  • Patrons enjoy lottery games responsibly as entertainment
  • The lottery creates jobs and business for retailers
  • Banning it wouldn’t necessarily reduce overall gambling

As we can see, there are reasonable debates around personal freedom, use of state funds, and whether the lottery does more harm than good overall. There are also questions on respecting the original vote to establish the lottery versus reconsidering it based on principles.

How much lottery revenue currently goes to state programs, and what impact would losing it have?

The Idaho lottery currently provides a significant amount of funding to support various state programs and services. Here is a breakdown of how lottery revenues were used by the state government in recent years:

Program FY 2020 Revenue FY 2021 Revenue
Public Schools $58.5 million $62.4 million
Permanent Building Fund $45.1 million $45.3 million
Bond Levy Equalization Fund $13.6 million $15.6 million
Highways and bridges $0 $49.5 million

As the table shows, a large portion of lottery revenues go to K-12 public schools and school building funds. In FY 2021, schools received $62.4 million from lottery proceeds. Billions of dollars in lottery funding have gone to Idaho public schools since the lottery began in 1989.

Losing the roughly $50-$60 million per year currently going to schools would certainly have an impact. The State Department of Education would need to make tough decisions on reducing services or finding funds elsewhere. Higher education would also be affected, as the Permanent Building Fund supports colleges and universities.

There has been debate on whether school funding would actually drop if the lottery ends. But legislators would face pressure to find $60 million or make substantial cuts. Highway funding would also be impacted, as in 2021 $49.5 million came from the lottery.

While the loss of lottery revenues would not be catastrophic, it would significantly reduce available funds that currently pay for major state programs. Difficult decisions around budgets and priorities would need to follow.

What do Idaho residents think about the lottery and the proposal to end it?

Public opinion polling and surveys give us some insights into how Idaho residents view the lottery as well as the proposal to eliminate it.

Overall, it appears a majority of Idahoans support keeping the lottery, while a sizeable minority favor ending it. Views also depend on factors like age, political affiliation, and education level.

According to a 2022 poll by FM3 Research, 61% of Idaho voters supported maintaining the lottery. However, 73% of conservative Republicans favored ending it compared to just 31% of moderates and progressives.

An older 2020 survey found higher support for keeping the lottery at two-thirds of respondents statewide. It also showed divisions based on location, with Boise-area residents more pro-lottery compared to northern Idaho.

Opinion on Representative Scott’s specific proposal appears more negative. An Idaho Politics Weekly poll in January 2023 showed only 33% in favor of her legislation versus 50% opposed. 17% were unsure.

So overall, Idaho residents lean toward maintaining the lottery, with conservatives more opposed compared to moderates and liberals. But there is still significant support for ending the lottery, particularly in certain regions.

As the debate continues, public opinion could shift. But right now it appears no overwhelming statewide consensus in either direction.

What has happened when other states have eliminated their lotteries in the past?

Idaho is not the first state to consider doing away with its lottery. Let’s look at some examples of what’s happened elsewhere:

Mississippi

Mississippi introduced a state lottery in 2018 but legislators voted to end it effective 2022. Opposition was largely based on moral grounds against state-sponsored gambling.

The lottery had provided around $70 million annually for road repairs and infrastructure. Legislators will now need to find funds elsewhere. There are also concerns of Mississippian dollars continuing to fund lotteries in neighboring states.

Arkansas

Arkansas voters approved a state lottery in 2008, but it was discontinued in 1964 due to corruption scandals and fraud. When revived in 2009, the new lottery focused on integrity protections and oversight. In its first decade, the lottery generated over $1 billion for college scholarships in Arkansas.

South Carolina

South Carolina has started and stopped its lottery in the past. It first began a lottery in 2002 but discontinued it within two years due to political disputes. After years of legislative arguments, South Carolinians voted in a 2016 referendum to bring back the state lottery permanently.

These examples show that eliminating existing lotteries is certainly possible but often controversial. The financial impacts need to be addressed, and in some cases lotteries have returned after a brief absence. There are also concerns that residents simply cross state lines and play neighboring lotteries if their own ends.

What could happen next with the Idaho lottery debate?

It’s not yet clear what the ultimate fate of the Idaho lottery will be, but here are some possibilities:

  • HB0022 stalls and does not pass – The status quo is maintained
  • The bill passes and the lottery is ended – Operations wind down by 2024
  • Lawmakers propose a referendum on the issue – Voters decide at the ballot box
  • A compromise keeps the lottery but directs more funds to state services or limits its scope
  • Ongoing debates lead to back-and-forth changes over the coming years

Much depends on how strongly voters and politicians on each side feel about their positions. There is also the question of how sustainable current public opinion is versus activism changing views. Ongoing budget debates could increase focus on lottery revenues.

There are also alternatives like directing more lottery funds to education or additional state services. But compromise solutions often face criticism from both anti-lottery and pro-lottery advocates.

The clearest path forward would be either allowing Idaho voters to decide the issue directly or the legislature definitively passing or rejecting HB0022. But for now, the future is uncertain. Passions around state lotteries evoke complicated social and moral issues beyond just finances.

Idahoans likely have more debate and surprises ahead before the ultimate resolution on this divisive issue emerges.

Conclusion

The proposal to eliminate the Idaho state lottery has prompted debate on issues from gambling morality to school budgets. While public opinion currently leans slightly toward maintaining the lottery, there are reasonable arguments on both sides.

Shutting down the lottery would remove a revenue source that currently funds key state services like education. But it would also uphold principles against state-backed gambling operations. There are also questions on how sustainable current public views are versus activism on the issue.

Idaho legislators face challenging choices on respecting past votes to establish the lottery versus reconsidering its appropriateness today. And more unpredictable twists in this debate likely lie ahead.

Regardless of the outcome, the Idaho lottery issue shines a light on citizens’ values and how they view the role of state government. The final resolution will have consequences for how billions in funding gets allocated going forward. This policy debate is about more than just Lotto tickets and Powerball jackpots.

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