Arkansas is one step closer to selling its first lottery ticket. The Arkansas Lottery Commission named its first executive director Friday. Ernie Passailaigue already launched South Carolina's lottery system and he has the experience it takes to get Arkansas' lottery off the ground. "I've got to get this business running in four and a half to five months," he told us.
Passailaigue has his work cut out for him but he's been down this road before, starting up South Carolina's lottery and running it for the past 8 years. "Of anyone we looked at Ernie has more experience," said lottery commissioner Joe White. White says the best thing is Passailaigue will be able to hit the ground running here in Arkansas when he starts July 1st. "Every day we are not selling tickets is the loss of a million dollars of revenue," Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter said.
Passailague has plans. First off, he wants to call it the Arkansas Education Lottery to make sure people understand this isn't just about making money. "We're going to do our best to make the goals and dreams of young people in the state of Arkansas come true," he told us. He also says it's important to make the right choice about a multi-state jackpot game, either mega-millions or powerball. He happens to be the Powerball group chairman. But he said, "we're going to do what's best for the people of Arkansas in making our selection."
Mr. Passailague says you can expect a lottery that offers similar games to what we see in nearby states like Texas. He expects that to keep Arkansas lotto players in the state and maybe even draw some curious players from across state lines. "This will obviously be a stimulus for this state," Commissioner White said, "it will bring people into businesses."
But Passailague also wants to send the message to Arkansans that this is a game of chance, and people shouldn't spend their rent or grocery money on the possibility of a big win. "It's just as important to me to make sure that people play responsibly," Passailaigue said, "play it only with your entertainment dollar."
Those with the lottery commission expect to start selling lottery tickets by December of this year. Mr. Passailaigue hopes to bring in $100 million to $125 million for scholarships in the first 12 months. That money could go to students by fall 2010. Mr. Passailaigue will get $324,000 a year if a legislative oversight committee approves that salary. No date has been set for that committee's next meeting.
