WOULD YOU BUY MORE NEW MEXICO LOTTERY TICKETS IF THE PRIZES WERE BIGGER? IT’S ESTIMATED THE LOTTERY WILL RETURN 37.5 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND THIS YEAR. THAT’S ABOUT NINE MILLION DOLLARS LESS THAN LAST YEAR.
LOTTERY OFFICIALS SAY THEY’RE RESTRICTED IN WHAT THEY CAN RETURN IN PRIZES DUE TO THE REQUIREMENT THAT 30 PERCENT OF REVENUE MUST GO TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND. OFFICIALS SAY ELIMINATING THE 30 PERCENT MANDATE WOULD ALLOW THEM TO PUT MORE INTO PRIZES, DRIVING UP SALES AND INCREASING THE LOTTERY’S OVERALL REVENUE.
