This year the Scott administration has pitched the Vermont Legislature on expanding digital lottery games so that people can purchase lottery products via their phones as they do with sports betting.
This proposal means that all lottery games, Megabucks, Powerball and instant scratch-off tickets, would be available on a person’s phone. The plan is being pitched as a way to modernize the state’s lottery operations and after two years is expected to add about $5 million to the state’s coffers.
Here’s how it would work. People will download an app on their phones and then link that account to their bank account via a credit card. They can then purchase lottery tickets and play games (on their phones) even ‘scratching’ off lottery tickets from that app.
Is this really a good idea? The Scott administration says it is meeting people where they are at in terms of using their phones for shopping, music, banking, etc. And it’s a way to draw new customers to the lottery, those who may not go into a local store to purchase tickets.
But do we really want to encourage people to become even more phone-fixated? We’ve successfully managed to get cellphones out of our schools with great results. What message does it send that the state now wants to increase cellphone usage by having folks download apps that are linked to their bank accounts.
People are increasingly realizing that while cellphones are amazing and useful technology, that they also have a lot of negative consequences when overused, are addictive, isolating and not conducive to human connection and interaction.
Does it really make sense and is it worth the $5 million it may yield in two years? Will that $5 million offset the potential for people to make rash financial decisions or become even more immersed in their phones? There is already evidence that the Vermont’s digital sports betting is resulting in an increase in gambling problems according to a Vermont Public report by Bob Kinzel.
It’s no secret that the state needs more and better revenue streams – but this one might not be worth the gamble.
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