Will moving the lottery under the control of higher education encourage more Arkansans to participate? This Senator seems to think so.

Roby Brock at UALR Public Radio writes:

Senator Wants Arkansas Lottery Under Higher Education Control

Sen. Jimmy Hickey, R-Texarkana, has pre-filed a bill to abolish the Arkansas Lottery Commission and establish control of the lottery’s operations under the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.

SB7, an 85-page bill you can read here, would create a lottery division in the ADHE and put the lottery under the control of the executive branch of government. Currently the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, which was passed by voters in 2008, is governed by an independent commission of nine members.

Last month, a consultant’s report recommended more gubernatorial control over the lottery. UK-based Camelot Global Services said the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery is experiencing declining revenue because it offers too many games and is negatively perceived by potential customers. Richard Bateson, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Camelot, says Arkansas should reduce prize payout and better promote the lottery.