Lottery news from http://www.hendersondispatch.com/
Despite recent criticisms that the North Carolina lottery isn't raising as much money as planned, state Sen. Doug Berger (D-Youngsville) stands behind his decision to vote in favor of the lottery during last summer's legislative session. Berger also disagrees with assertions that the lottery is bringing in less revenue than expected.
N.C. lottery officials stated last week that lottery revenues will likely fall about $23 million short of a projected $425 million. Berger, who strongly supported and campaigned for an education lottery last year, said, however, that he believed the lottery would raise $400 million in its first year; Berger said the lottery is currently poised to meet this goal. Berger said the $425 million figure came from the governor's staff, which made higher projections.
“The people of my district overwhelmingly support the lottery,” said Berger, who believes it's no coincidence that the three counties with the highest lottery sales, according to a May 30 News and Observer article, are Wilson, Nash and Vance counties, all of which are within an hour's drive from Virginia when using the interstate. Berger said many of these people have been playing the Virginia lottery for years; Berger said he and his constituents believe it's a good thing that these people are now playing in North Carolina instead.
At least one Virginia lottery retailer near the North Carolina border said Friday, however, that North Carolinians are still playing at her store in large numbers.
Virginia Cooper, Dairy Queen manager of Uppy's #4 in Bracey, Va., said that Virginia lottery sales at her store have not taken a hit since the North Carolina lottery began. Cooper estimates that as much as 50 percent of her store's lottery transactions involve North Carolina customers.
Cooper said that Virginia's big money games like Cash 5 continue to draw North Carolina players. Also, Cooper said the Virginia lottery offers a wider variety of scratch-off games than the North Carolina lottery.
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