http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/lotterysal_2067.mp3
Lottery sales in Missouri hit an all-time high during the last part of 2003 and the first part of this year. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
LOTTERY SALES IN MISSOURI WERE UP 11.5 PERCENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004.
SUSAN GOEDDE (GAY-dee) IS THE MEDIA MANAGER FOR THE MISSOURI LOTTERY.
SHE EXPLAINS WHY LOTTERY REVENUE IS UP.
PUBLIC SERVER-LOTTERY.WAV-CUT 1 :36
OC: "...coming on board with that game."
GOEDDE SAYS THE INCREASE IN LOTTERY SALES MEANS MORE MONEY FOR EDUCATION.
CUT 2 :15
OC: "...was also a record."
NOT EVERYONE THINKS THAT RECORD LOTTERY SALES SHOULD BE CELEBRATED.
REPUBLICAN SENATOR JOHN LOUDON IS A CRITIC OF GAMBLING.
CUT 3 :20
OC: "...can least afford to be doing it."
BUT LOTTERY OFFICIALS SAY FEW PEOPLE ARE PROBLEM-GAMBLERS.
GOEDDE SAYS MOST PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY CAN AFFORD TO SPEND ON GAMBLING AND DON'T GO OVER THAT LIMIT.
CUT 4 :34
OC: "...products that keep them entertained."
BUT LOUDON SAYS HE DOESN'T BELIEVE IT'S A RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY THAT ATTRACTS PEOPLE WHO *CAN* AFFORD TO GAMBLE.
CUT 5 :35
OC: "...who can't afford to be doing it."
LOUDON SAYS HE AND OTHER REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE CONCERNED THAT LOTTERY MONEY ISN'T NEW MONEY FOR EDUCATION.
HE SAYS THE LOTTERY MONEY TAKES THE PLACE OF OTHER FUNDS THAT WOULD'VE GONE TO EDUCATION INSTEAD OF BEING NEW MONEY ON TOP OF WHAT THE STATE ALREADY SPENDS ON SCHOOLS.
HE SAYS OTHER STATES DO A BETTER JOB SETTING ASIDE LOTTERY PROCEEDS FOR EDUCATION.
CUT 6 :37
OC: "...point to out of the lottery."
THE MISSOURI LOTTERY PROVIDES INFORMATION ON LOTTERY PROCEEDS AND EDUCATION SPENDING AT ITS WEBSITE, M-O LOTTERY DOT COM.