New York Lottery
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The New York Lottery is one of the oldest government-run lotteries in the United States. Begun in 1967 as the second modern U.S. lottery (after New Hampshire), it has provided additional revenues in the state, mostly education.
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[edit] History
Prior to the 20th century, lotteries were used in New York to raise revenue for non-educational needs. New York City Hall was built in part with lottery proceeds. Other lotteries helped build and repair the state's canals, roads, ferries and bridges. Lotteries were even used in the past for non-public needs. They helped develop New York City's many manufacturing industries, and even churches were built, rebuilt and improved, with lottery funds.
On November 8, 1966, New Yorkers voted to approve a constitutional amendment authorizing a state-run lottery. The referendum passed with more than 60% of the vote in favor. In that referendum, the proceeds of any lottery to be established in the state were to be "applied exclusively to, or in aid or support of, education." As a result, in 1967, the State Legislature created a Division of the Lottery and a State Lottery Commission within the Department of Taxation and Finance. The Lottery was later reconstituted as an autonomous unit within the Department of Taxation and Finance. Under the New York State Lottery for Education Law, the Director of the Division of the Lottery has full authority over the administration of the Lottery.
The Lottery began operations in 1967; it has generated over $34 billion in aid to education revenue.
Sales were suspended for about nine months in the mid-1970s due to a scandal.
As of 2008, its games include Mega Millions, Take 5, and video lottery. (Among the 12 Mega Millions states, only New York and Texas prohibit winners of that game from choosing cash or annuity; the cash value option, if desired, must be exercised when playing.) Mega Millions is drawn in Atlanta.
If an agreement between Mega Millions and Powerball can be reached, all U.S. lotteries, including New York's, would be allowed to sell tickets for both games; the earliest possible date would be October 1, 2009. It is not known whether Powerball players in New York would be able to make the choice between cash or annuity after winning, which is prohibited under current New York Lottery regulations.
Players must be at least 18 years old (including video lottery); however, the minimum is 21 for Quick Draw (a keno-based game drawn every four minutes) in establishments where alcohol is served.
New York Lottery winnings are subject to state income taxes as well as Federal income taxes. In addition, New York City and Yonkers residents are subject to local income taxes.
Despite it being the U.S. lottery with the highest sales, the New York Lottery has been increasingly criticized for offering low payout percentages (neighboring states' games often give players a better return.) This is especially true for its flagship jackpot game, Lotto, which has the lowest prize return (40%) of any U.S. lottery game. (In the most recent fiscal year, sales of Lotto were down almost 15% from the previous 12 months; its minimum rollovers are now only $500,000 annuity.) Also, unlike many other lotteries, its winners of annuity prizes for "instant games" cannot choose lump sum in lieu of the periodic payments.[1]
[edit] Currently offered games
[edit] Video lottery
Available at eight parimutuel facilities statewide:
Batavia Downs, Batavia
Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track, Farmington
The Fairgrounds Gaming, Hamburg
Monticello Raceway, Monticello (relocating to the former site of the Concord Hotel in 2010)
Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, Saratoga Springs (not to be confused with nearby Saratoga Race Course)
Tioga Downs, Nichols
Vernon Downs, Vernon
Empire City at Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers
New York video lottery, by law, offers a 92% minimum payout percentage. NOTE: Aqueduct Racetrack also is targeted for video lottery, but is not expected to be available before late 2010.
Currently, New York video lottery is limited to slot machines.
[edit] Jackpot Games
- Mega Millions (multi-state lottery, drawn Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:59pm; 50% payout)
- Lotto (drawn Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11:21pm; 40% payout)
[edit] Daily Games
- Take 5 (also in scratch game format, drawn daily at 11:21pm; Take 5 draw game payout 50%)
- Numbers (3 digits 0~9, drawn twice daily, at 12:26pm and 7:51pm; 50% payout)
- Win 4 (4 digits 0~9, drawn twice daily, at 12:26pm and 7:51pm; 50% payout)
- Quick Draw (keno game, drawn every four minutes between 10:00am and midnight; 60% payout)
- Pick 10 (keno game, drawn daily at 7:51pm; 50% payout)
[edit] Instant Games
- see the New York Lottery website; 65% payout
[edit] Personnel
Director - Gordon Medenica.
Past directors - Robert J. McLaughlin, Nancy Palumbo, Margaret DeFrancisco, Jeff Pearlee, Peter Lynch, John Quinn.
