Lottery chief: ‘Representatives are free to play’

The Idaho Lottery turned over $45 million in dividends in the current year, fiscal year 2016, and is forecasting a 3 percent increase in sales in the coming year. “Hoping for another big jackpot run like the one we’ve just experienced with Powerball is unwise,” Lottery Director Jeff Anderson told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee this morning. “Hope is not a business plan.”

Gov. Butch Otter is recommending a 3.6 percent increase in the Lottery Division’s budget next year; the division gets no state tax funds, and more than 91 percent of the increase is due to employee costs including the proposed 3 percent merit raise, benefit costs, and the once-every-11-years 27 ^th payroll period that’s coming next year.

Rep. Marc Gibbs, R-Grace, asked Anderson, “Does the Lottery Commission have a policy on commissioners buying lottery tickets?” “We do,” Anderson responded. “They’re not allowed to play our games.” Gibbs asked, “What about the employees? Are they allowed to play the games?”

“We are not,” Anderson said. When Gibbs asked for explanation, Anderson said, “This goes back to the enabling legislation - it’s very common around the country.” He added, “It would be very awkward if I was giving myself a billion-dollar jackpot check. … We believe that’s an appropriate prohibition for employees. But,” he told the lawmaker as grins spread around the room, “Representatives are free to play.”

Gibbs said after the meeting that he was just confirming something he thought he already knew. “It was not at all in regard to any activity at the Lottery Commission,” he said. “Director Anderson is held in extremely high regard nationally.”