Lottery Terminal Bill Clears Senate Panel
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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - A bill that would allow people to buy lottery tickets using "point-of-sale" credit card machines has cleared another hurdle.
On Wednesday the Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee voted 5-1 to approve the measure which would allow lottery sales terminals at gas pumps, ATMs and other places where people can swipe credit cards.
Sponsor Garrett Richter brushed off concerns that the legislation might make it too easy for people to gamble.
"We have to give citizens more credit than politicians like to do sometimes,'' he said. "This is a personal choice. The money goes toward education, so it gives our citizens an opportunity to support education and an opportunity to play in the game."
Lottery sales send money to the state's Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.
Richter's bill also received approval this month from the Senate Regulated Industries Committee.
"People don't carry money around in their pockets certainly as they did 30 years ago, or 20 years ago, or even five years ago,'' Richter said. "This particular point-of-sale option is for when you pull into a gas station. Typically, you can purchase a car wash at the gas pump. You can purchase a `quick pick' at the gas pump."
A House version, sponsored by Rep. Holly Raschein from Key Largo, was approved Tuesday by the House Business and Professions Subcommittee.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report
