TV Star Looks Like Lottery Loser

The Idaho Lottery probably will end its advertising relationship with television star Jerry Van Dyke and use local people in promoting the game, the new director says.

Dennis Jackson, who took over the lottery when Gov. Phil Batt took office last month, told budget writers Tuesday the decision is part of the administration’s attempt to become more efficient and cost-effective.

“I just think that was an expense we don’t need to make,” Jackson said.

Van Dyke, who has a major role in the ABC television series “Coach,” was being paid about $7,000 per commercial plus expenses to promote the lottery, Jackson said. Van Dyke has completed filming the advertisements under the contract with the state which expires in September.

Jackson said he expects that using “less costly local talent” in future advertisements would cut the cost in half or more.

Lottery officials also told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee that sales remain on track to hit $80 million by the end of the current operating year June 30, which would produce a dividend of between $18 million and $18.5 million.

And they said sales projected for the next budget year should hit a record $85 million, pushing the dividend to nearly $20 million for the first time since the lottery began operation in mid-1989.