Officials: Casinos haven't hurt lottery sales

All slot machine parlors in Pennsylvania must also sell lottery tickets.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- If early returns are any indication, Pennsylvania's new slots parlors won't be putting a big dent in lottery ticket sales.
The state's first slots parlor opened near Wilkes-Barre in November and a second opened at a horse track outside Philadelphia a month later. But between Nov. 13 and Jan. 15, the state sold 631.2 million in lottery tickets -- up 8 percent from the year before.
So far this fiscal year, sales are up 2.2 percent at 1.6 billion.
"Every single sales week since November has been up," said Stephanie Weyant, a Revenue Department spokeswoman. "The top two instant sales weeks of all time for the Pennsylvania Lottery have occurred since November of 2006."
Citing the experience of states such as Michigan and Illinois, some in Pennsylvania are concerned slots might hurt lottery ticket sales. Proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery are used to subsidize prescriptions and other programs for seniors.
Efforts by state
The state has made efforts to ensure that lottery sales aren't hurt. For instance, a provision in the 2004 law authorizing slot machines in Pennsylvania requires all slots parlors to sell lottery tickets.
With the state expected to have 11 casinos open by 2009, one expert said slots could ultimately siphon away some lottery customers. But he estimated the overall impact would be small.
"The lottery doesn't go after heavy gamblers," said Phil Kopel, president of the Massachusetts-based lottery research firm Kopel Research Group Inc. "There are many people who play lottery games that regularly don't go to casinos."
But the lottery could lose some heavy gamblers, he said.
"There's a small group of people who can play a lot," Kopel said. "They're also likely to be the ones who are transferring their money to [casinos at racetracks]."
As of Jan. 1, 427.3 million had been wagered at the state's two slots parlors, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and Philadelphia Park, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The casinos paid out 386.9 million, leaving about 40.4 million for the state and casinos to split.
A third slots parlor, Harrah's Chester Casino & amp; Racetrack in suburban Philadelphia, is set to open Tuesday.
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