Gambling Action Alert

February 9, 2006

VOTE NO on HB 4363 - "Wild about Animals" Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket

The House Environmental and Energy Committee passed HB 4363 yesterday to issue a special scratch-off lottery ticket for the benefit of endangered species, humane education, and dogs and cats! HB 4363 could be called for a vote on the House floor NEXT WEEK!

For Immediate Action

1. Call your State Representative (217-782-2000) and ask him/her to vote NO on HB 4363.
2. Share this Action Alert with your church, synagogue, or mosque.
3. Ask 3 others to make calls (friends, family, neighbors, grassroots activists, etc.).

Talking Points

• The government should not use "compassion for animals" to entice people to gamble on the Lottery.
• The Lottery is a regressive tax and an unstable source of revenue. Studies have shown that 51 percent of Lottery tickets are purchased by 5 percent of the people who play the Lottery.
• Voters approved the Illinois Lottery over 30 years ago because they believed all the revenue would be used for education. This is the third special scratch-off Lottery bill to fund a program other than education, and it will not be the last. Each new scratch-off Lottery ticket means less money for education.
• Illinois residents can already donate money for endangered species through a check-off on their state income tax, with 100 percent of the money going to that cause.
• The revenue generated from the sale of this scratch-off ticket will be divided three ways:
  1/3 for maintenance of wildlife rehabilitation facilities that take care of endangered species
  1/3 for character and humane education programs in schools
  1/3 for pet population control
• When a person buys a $1 Lottery ticket, 56 cents is used for prizes, 6 cents goes to vendors, 4 cents is used for operating expenses, and 34 cents goes to the Common School Fund. HB 4363 divides this net revenue in thirds, which will result in higher administrative costs.