Most locals say no to lower lottery payouts

LIBERTY — Several local residents say lowering the payout amounts in state lottery winnings will result in fewer people playing the lottery games and ultimately less revenue for public education.

A state advisory panel last month asked Ohio Lottery commissioners to consider scaling back the 59 percent it returned in prizes, which was higher in 2004 than what Michigan and Pennsylvania paid out.

Lottery sales are up nearly 16 percent since 2001, but the amount of money that schools received has increased by less than 2 percent. Lottery profits are earmarked for education in Ohio.

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