COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — If you play the lottery, it might get a lot easier.
State lawmakers are looking at a proposal that would let you buy lottery tickets from a vending machine.
“One of the things they brought to our attention was they are the only lottery commission in the country that’s currently not allowed to sell lottery tickets through vending machines,” Rep. Nathan Ballentine said.
Under House Bill 5057, people would be able to provide their ID to machines to buy tickets.
The lottery commission would determine where the machines are placed, based on the number of tickets sold, and if the location wants one.
One of the main reasons some think machines should be implemented is convenience.
“I’ve actually tried to buy a soda one time, and because he had customers getting lottery tickets and running the numbers and trying to make sure their money wasn’t messed up, it took a while,” Tricia Anderson, City of Columbia resident, said.
For every dollar grossed by the South Carolina Education Lottery, $0.66 goes to the winner, while another $0.25 to education.
Over the last five years, the South Carolina Education Lottery has transferred more than $500 million to education.
“Most importantly, though, the first year after the lottery pays for the machines, the first year they’re making a million dollars towards our scholarships, and going forward it’s estimated to make an additional $8 million to go towards our scholarships,” Ballentine said.
However, there are still concerns about the machines leading to more gambling in South Carolina.
“To just increase the ability of people in South Carolina and the access and the ease of this and convenience, is poor public policy,” Executive Vice President for Palmetto Family Alliance Randy Page said. Comment with Bubbles
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The proposal passed through a full committee on Wednesday and will be on the House floor next week.
