Florida Lottery Scratch-Off Vending Machines Due This Summer
The Florida Lottery will place vending machines selling scratch-off tickets in grocery stores throughout the state. Roughly one thousand machines will be installed at supermarkets starting in August to test the success of the sales method, determining the future of automatic electronic lottery machines.
A previous flirtation with vending machines found that instant ticket machines are not guaranteed to produce revenue. Almost eight hundred machines were placed around Orlando in the late '90s, but were found to be mostly ineffective, only twenty turning a profit.
“You learn from your mistakes,” said Lottery Secretary Leo DiBenigno. “They (the old machines) were not placed in ideal locations, so we’ve learned from that lesson and learned from other states as well.”
Revenue from use of vending machines in the twenty-nine states using them totalled $2.3 billion in 2006. Placement in groceries near the front door is considered a priority.
Customers said the machines might improve their lottery experience. Some noted that the see-through front of the vending device gives patrons a chance to look at tickets before committing to a particular game.
State economists say the machines should boost scratch-off sales by fifteen percent, creating an additional $3.4 million in revenue.
“We’re happy with a conservative estimate,” DiBenigno said. “And we’re going to try hard to beat that estimate.”
Recent Comments
| Posted by: Billy Bob | When: 06/08/2009 05:09:35 AM EST |
| This flies in the face of age control regulation. Lottery vending machines are generally a good device for those of age, however, anyone that can reach the insert money here slot and punch a button can access these. This is something that focus on the Family and Rep. Bachus should be concentrating on instead of opposing online gambling which does in fact have these protections. This type of sales of gambling should be restricted to ensure minors have no access. | |
