LANSING, Mich. (AP) – People who play the Michigan Lottery could start buying tickets on the Internet and possibly playing lottery games online as early as next year.
Lottery officials see it as a chance to raise profits that go to public schools. But some lawmakers fear increased gambling addiction and debt if the move is made.
Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration is requesting more than $3 million to launch an “iLottery” in early 2014.
The Republican-led Legislature is split over the iLottery, with the House agreeing to the funding request and the Senate planning to reject it. Differences are expected to be resolved when budget negotiations intensify next month.
The lottery says players could set limits on themselves so the state could step in once they hit weekly or monthly caps on spending.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
