Oklahoma lottery: Would it be a fiscal fix or fiscal folly?

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: Historically, Oklahoma has based most of the State's income on taxes generated from the production of oil and wheat. Since the fall of the oil prices and the drop in the price of wheat the State has been forced to look to other avenues for income. A lottery for the State has been discussed for quite some time but has not yet been adopted. There are numerous reasons for this. A statewide survey was conducted in 1986 and the results revealed that t he general population did in fact want a lottery. Partial results of this survey are recorded along with an explanation of what steps are necessary to implement a lottery in the State of Oklahoma.

Findings and Conclusions: The question of whether or not to adopt a State lottery is very much a political issue. While the general public of this State do want a lottery the lawmakers are very hesitant to bring it to a vote. It appears that the only way a lottery will be adopted is by the introduction of an initiative petition. Two petitions have been introduced thus far but neither has yet been successful. The petition of 1986 is still being reviewed by the State Supreme Court and the most recent is still being reviewed by the State Department. It does appear that the State of Oklahoma will eventually initiate a lottery but this will not occur for several more years.