Vegas-style resorts will obviously cut into the Florida Lottery. How much, Floridas Lottery secretary says remains unknown.
Cynthia O'Connell, the Secretary of the Florida Lottery, said she expects the proposed legislation that would open South Florida tocasino resortsbeyond the Florida Seminole land will impact the $4 billion a year lottery as does every new entertainment endeavor.
But while an analysis has yet to be completed of the latest gaming proposal, she believes those who currently play the lottery and the people expected to be regulars at the casinos are different types of gamblers.
Whether you have a new movie that comes out, anything that takes away discretionary dollars, it going to impact you, OConnell said.
But in some ways, maybe it could be helpful, we just havent determined that yet," she added. "We believe the players are there, as evidence by our sales. Theyre coming to the retail convenience stores, the supermarkets to play the lottery.
More lottery tickets are purchased at Publix, 7-Eleven and Winn-Dixie locations than any other retail chain and last month Lottery officials announced Florida will be the first state to offer tickets in Wal-Mart stores.
The tickets will not be available at every Wal-Mart store, but in 27 locations as part of a pilot program with the Bentonville-Arkansas chain.
Cynthia O'Connell, the Secretary of the Florida Lottery, told members of the House Government Operations Subcommittee on Tuesday that with all the gaming options already available in Florida, the casinos would be just another player in the mix.
Subcommittee members, concerned about Disneys reaction to the state Lottery and retail sales along the Georgia and Alabama borders, didnt press her on the casino issue.
Heavy media coverage has been reported on bills proposed by state Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, and state Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, that would allow a trio of gaming resort in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The bills are also expected to establish an independent gambling commission.
During the presentation, OConnell said the state lottery topped $4 billion in sales last year and the numbers are up 10 percent so far this year from 2010.
The majority of the address by OConnell, appointed to the post by Gov. Scott in February, focused on changes that will be coming to the state gambling game in 2012.
Starting Jan. 15, Powerball will up the starting jackpot from $20 million to $40 million, increasing the second place prize to $1 million, and reducing the group of numbers in the Powerball pool from 39 to 35, slightly improving the odds. The change comes with a price: each ticket will cost $2, or $3 if you add Power Play, up from $1 and $2 respectively.
Powerball drawings, now held Wednesday and Saturdays at Universal Studio in Orlando, moves to the Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee.
In April, the Florida Lottery will mark 25 years possibly with a scratch ticket tied in with Visit Floridas 500th anniversary of Florida.
A VIP loyalty program, similar to Coca-Colas five-year-old My Coke Rewards marketing effort. The Coca-Cola program allows customers to amass points by entering codes from specially marketed packages onto a website which can be redeemed for a number of prizes. OConnell said Florida Lotterys program would allow people to use any ticket, regardless of a winner number or combination.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859 or (772) 215-9889.
