Privatize Pa. Lottery? Voters Say No

Pennsylvanians do not want their lottery to be privatized, as Gov. Tom Corbett is proposing, according to a new Franklin & Marshall College Poll.

The poll found that 47 percent of those polled strongly opposed the privatization with 17 somewhat opposing it. Only 7 percent were strongly in favor with 11 percent being somewhat in favor of the move.

Most people polled, 75 percent, said they would play the lottery about the same amount as they do now if it were privatized, but a not insignificant number of people, 19 said they would play less frequently.

The Franklin & Marshall College Poll interviewed 622 Pennsylvania voters between January 29 and February 3. The margin of error is reported as plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

A recent editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer pointed out that although lotteries as natural candidates for privatization that it is hard to make the decision with so little input from the public.

What do you think? Should the Pennsylvania Lottery be privatized? Share your opinions in the comments area below.

The American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, or AFSCME, filed a lawsuit to stop the privatization. Some state lawmakers, lottery employees and others joined in the lawsuit. Other lawmakers, including state Rep. Mark Painter (D-Montgomery) have signed a friend of the court, or amicus brief, according to a release from Painter’s office.

"It was really a shock for me as a newly elected legislator," said Painter in the news release. "The governor took it upon himself to sign away control of the lottery without even consulting with those who represent the people who will be most affected."

The lawsuit claims that the governor does not have the authority to privatize the lottery without approval from the legislature.