Gambling Action Alert
February 23, 2006
Your calls are making a difference - Calls Needed to the House!
The Internet Lottery Bill (SB 2378) was referred to the Rules Committee and will not be called for a vote!
The "Wild About Animals" Scratch Off Lottery ticket bill (HB 4363) is ready for a vote in the House.
For Immediate Action
- Call your State Representative TODAY (217-782-2000) and ask him/her to VOTE NO ON HB 4363.
- Share this alert with others (church, friends, activists, etc.)
- Forward to 6 others.
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.
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The revenue generated from the sale of this scratch-off ticket will be divided three ways:
- 1/3 for maintenance of wildlife rehabilitation facilities for 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.