Next Generation Machines Not a Hit

Next Generation Machines Not a Hit

The Ohio Lottery’s next generation machines have not yet had the intended impact as far as revenues go. These machines were offered to the veterans and fraternal organizations by the Ohio Lottery Commission as an alternative while the courts decide the fate of the video raffle machines long used by these organizations.

Twelve hundred machines were purchased by the Ohio Lottery Commission at a cost of $22.5 million. The machines are to be installed at any veterans or fraternal organization that requests them. The revenues from these machines would be split with 60 percent going to the state, which would go to the education fund and 40 percent to the veterans and fraternal organizations. The Ohio Lottery Commission projected annual revenues of $17 million once all the machines were in use, $7 million to the veterans and fraternal organizations and $10 million to the state.

To date, 877 machines have been installed. An additional 41 machines are waiting to be installed. They have generated revenues of $351,000 for the veterans and fraternal organizations and $527,000 for the state.

Earlier this month, the Ohio Veterans and Fraternal Charitable Coalition had reported that over the past three years, the video raffle machines being challenged in the lawsuit had generated revenues of $12 million with $6 million going to charities and $6 million to the veterans and fraternal organizations. The state got no share.

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