Lottery Bill Passes Out of Senate Committee

After about an hour of testimony, the senate travel, recreation and wildlife committee voted 3 to 2 today to forward the lottery bill to the full Senate. The proposal allows the state to offer a state lottery or join a multi-state lottery, such as the Powerball. Proceeds would go to local cities, towns and counties. Proponents say Wyoming residents are spending a lot of money buying lottery tickets in other states that have lotteries. They say that is money that could stay in Wyoming if the state offered a lottery.

Opponents say lotteries are a form of gambling and tax that would most hurt the poorest citizens who play the game.