Players: Payout cuts will mean fewer sales

Most say they want the lottery payout rate to remain at its current level.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
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.
Most of the people enjoying a cup of coffee and doughnut while scratching instant lottery tickets this week at a popular doughnut shop on Belmont Avenue feel any decrease in payouts would be a mistake.
John Chito of Youngstown, while discussing the lottery proposal with friends, said people are already discouraged with the lottery because they have a hard time winning. He said any decrease in payouts would only alienate more people.
Chito said the lottery commission should increase its profits by reducing the number of scratch-off games it offers, concentrating on about five of the most popular games.
Predicts fewer players
John Mirone of Liberty said if payouts from the lottery system are lowered, the number of players will drop significantly. He said the lottery commission, if anything, should consider raising the payout amount to attract more players.
Virge Dando of Liberty plays Ohio Lottery games faithfully, and she agrees that a lower payout rate will definitely mean fewer people playing the lottery games on a daily basis.
"People will spend the money playing the games if they are getting something out of it," she said. "If they lower it, that will be a problem."
Some patrons at the doughnut shop Tuesday afternoon just don't believe any additional profits will make it to the schools.
A man who would identify himself only as Jimmy said any funds from the state lottery do not go to the schools. He said the money goes into a general fund and is widely distributed from there with little making its way to the schools in the state.
Bill West of North Jackson spent some time playing several Ohio Lottery scratch-off games Tuesday afternoon and said he doesn't mind a reduced payout as long as the additional money generated by the lottery goes to Ohio pupils. With the reduced payout, West said he would like to see a greater amount of accountability for the money with a breakdown of how much goes to the schools.
Verdie Nicholson, a Youngstown man who plays the lottery, said any additional funds to the schools is a good thing and for that reason a reduction in payout is fine with him.
jgoodwin@vindy.com