Lottery Launch Nears In N.C.

Saturday, March 18, 2006 posted 05:38 AM EST

RALEIGH, N.C. -- In just two weeks, the first ever North Carolina Education Lottery tickets will be sold in North Carolina.

The NCEL expects that approximately 5,000 retailers will start selling the instant scratch-off tickets on March 30.

Approximately 300 retailers are going through training every day. Friday in Winston-Salem, about three dozen people were expected to undergo training on lottery machines.

"There are many different pieces of this giant puzzle that need to come together," said Tom Shaheen, the lottery's executive director. "The pieces that must come together include installation of ticket terminals, training retailers, testing software applications and so much more. There are many people working very hard behind the scenes in such areas as administration, finance, sales and computers to help raise money for education and make this historical event happen. In addition, numerous state agencies are providing assistance to us, as necessary."

Contractors for the NCEL have installed more than 3,700 ticket terminals in businesses across the state. Installations will continue down to the last minute.

Retailers that do not complete training will not be able to sell tickets until they have done so. Truck drivers have delivered the first series of tickets to a warehouse in Raleigh to prepare for delivery to retail locations statewide.

The NCEL also has been working with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on plans for the state's responsible gambling program. To coincide with the launch of ticket sales, information about the program will be published on posters and brochures. The gambling help line toll free number will also be available on the back of all Education Lottery tickets.

"We will be focused on prevention, education and outreach," said Flo Stein, chief of community policy management, Department of Health & Human Services. "In other states, which we expect will be the case here, the lottery is considered low risk for gambling problems. Those that have started lotteries in recent years have seen a very low impact from the lottery on existing gambling issues."

For additional information about the N.C. Education Lottery, visit its website at www.lottery.nc.gov, or call (919) 715-6886 (71-LOTTO).

Related Links
	Lottery News & Stories
	North Carolina Lottery Results
	Search Past North Carolina Lottery Winning Numbers