Lottery revenue expected to drop by $17 million

October 22, 2008 02:29 PM Email| Comments (6)| Text size – +

By Matt Viser, Globe Staff

Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill announced today that the state is preparing for a 1.5 percent drop in lottery revenue this year, a blow from the faltering economy that will total $17 million.

Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill

Speaking at a luncheon at Seaport Hotel, Cahill said he would immediately cut $3 million from the lottery's $96 million operating budget. That means the lottery will generate $14 million less revenue than expected for cultural arts programs and local aid for cities and towns.

"The impact on the economy has reached the state lottery," Cahill said.

It does not necessarily mean, however, that cities and towns will receive $14 million less in local aid. Cahill said it is up to the Legislature to decided whether to replace the revenue with money from the rainy day fund or some other source.

» Back to Front Page

6 comments so far...

I have emailed the lottery about this the fact that I won't play any longer because they are not showing the drawing on TV anymore. The only game that I now play is the Megamillions because the other states would pitch a fit if the drawings were not televised. I'm not the only person that feels this way either. I know of several people that stopped playing when the televising stopped.

Posted by Karen October 22, 08 03:28 PM

Why can I play Keno and all these scratch tickets , but I have to drive to eith RI or Conn to play slot machines.

Posted by john Smith October 22, 08 04:09 PM

Hmmmm...I had no idea! Woow. I would not play either. It seems a bit fishy.

Posted by Mele October 22, 08 05:01 PM

Where's the trust Karen?

Posted by Mike October 22, 08 06:12 PM

I am glad that Treasurer Cahill is cutting 3 million from the operating budget.
What did the luncheon cost at the Seaport Hotel??

Posted by Linda October 22, 08 07:35 PM

I'm not sure I get the complaint of Commenter #1. If he's worried that without televising the drawing of the numbers the lottery will be faked, isn't he worried that with televising of the drawing the numbers will be faked? Listen, the Chinese faked the entire televised opening of the Olympics. How difficult can it be to fake the drawing of a few balls? And let's not forget, the rich folk who run Wall Street were able to bamboozle the people out of 700 plus billion a couple of weeks ago. Don't worry, Commentator #1. The lottery is chump change anyway.

Posted by It's all a crap shoot October 23, 08 12:21 AM