Mammoth Blog

The restructuring of state lottery ticket sales for 2009 will scratch mom-and-pop stores throughout Michigan that rely on selling instant tickets to help bring customers in, state Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer [shown] said today.

Elsenheimer has appealed to the Michigan Bureau of State Lottery and Governor Jennifer Granholm to reconsider a new policy that requires retailers to sell both online lottery tickets through the terminal and scratch-off instant tickets.

The 105th District lawmaker has heard from store owners who are anticipating the loss of crucial revenue when the state puts them out of the instant ticket sales business in January.

"Once again, our state leaders have been saying one thing while their policy decisions do another," said Elsenheimer, of Kewadin. "It's hypocritical to talk about the need to support business in Michigan and create jobs, but then take away what real people are relying on for their livelihoods.

"The economy is making it tough enough for hard-working residents to bring home a paycheck that covers the bills, they don't need additional burdens or obstacles tossed at them by their government."

After January 31, 2009, only businesses with terminal lottery ticket sales will be eligible to also sell instant scratch-off tickets.

That means small businesses that just sold and relied upon on instant scratch-off tickets can no longer sell tickets.

They have to now sell the state-wide terminal lottery tickets and meet a certain sale quota each week.

The lottery bureau is upgrading its equipment and network system and is basing its retailer eligibility qualifications on sales level minimums.

Those businesses meeting the minimum amount will receive a lottery terminal for a one-time $550 communications fee.

Businesses with low sales that aren't eligible for a lottery terminal will have their lottery license revoked.

"The lottery was implemented in Michigan to help fund our public school system," Elsenheimer said. "By decreasing the sales outlets, this policy hurts not only local businesses and their customers, but also the education of our children. I hope the governor and lottery officials will take that into account and reconsider their decision." source>>>