By Associated Press
Tulsa, OK – Census numbers suggest lottery could produce more
TULSA, Okla. (AP) U.S. Census figures suggest that while Oklahoma receives a decent return from its lottery, it could produce more if some rules are changed.
The figures indicate the Oklahoma Lottery's profit margin of 36.1 percent was the eighth-best among the nation's 42 state lotteries, but its $72.5 million in net proceeds ranked 33rd.
Oklahoma's net lottery sales for 2008 totaled $200.8 million, ranking 36th. It returned $112.8 million in prizes for a 56.2 percent payoff percentage, which is the fourth-lowest in the nation.
State lottery officials have said Oklahoma would receive more money from the lottery if it either reduced or eliminated a requirement that at least 35 percent of net sales go to the Oklahoma Education Lottery Fund. They say that would allow the lottery to offer bigger prizes.
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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com