The Indiana Legislature has opted against advancing a bill that aimed to allow the Hoosier Lottery to sell tickets online. The bill initially gained traction after clearing a House committee on January 8 but ultimately did not receive support from the full House. House Public Policy Committee Chair Ethan Manning confirmed that the proposal has been removed from the House calendar and will not progress this legislative session.
Key Points on the Indiana Lottery Online Sales Bill
Despite support from Hoosier Lottery officials, the bill failed to gain sufficient backing. Manning indicated that the concept lacked support from both legislative caucuses. He stated, “It didn’t have enough support, really, from either caucus on the concept.” He expressed disappointment, highlighting that the proposal offered a potential revenue-generating avenue without needing to increase taxes.
Projected Revenue Impact
According to the analysis of House Bill 1078, online ticket sales could have significantly boosted the Hoosier Lottery’s revenues. Projections estimated an increase of between $314 million and $629 million by the third year of implementation. This revenue increase could elevate the lottery’s annual profits from $340 million in the fiscal year 2025 by an additional $31 million to $94 million in that same year.
- Current Sales Statistics: Lottery sales have remained stagnant at approximately $1.7 billion for the last five years.
- Comparison with Other States: Illinois, Kentucky, and Michigan are among the 18 states that currently offer online lottery sales.
Concerns Over Online Gambling
In previous sessions, Manning’s committee endorsed legislation that included both online lottery and internet casino games. However, those proposals were met with resistance, primarily due to fears of drawing business away from physical casinos and increasing gambling addiction risks. Manning noted that similar objections surfaced with this year’s lottery-only proposal.
He remarked on the challenges posed by Indiana’s early legalization of online sports betting in 2019. “Sports wagering… has hurt our argument for further forms of online gaming,” he commented, pointing to concerns about the impacts of increased gambling visibility.
As the legislative session continues, the future of online lottery sales in Indiana remains uncertain. While Manning’s efforts to provide alternative revenue streams without tax increases were met with resistance, the discussion surrounding online gambling is far from over.
