Idaho leaves Powerball lottery
The Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) has decided to expand Powerball to Australia and the UK.
US.- Idaho’s state lottery has decided to end its participation in the Powerball game due to the game’s planned international expansion.
Lottery is the only form of legal commercial gambling in Idaho. The state’s current laws restrict interstate lottery to other US states and Canada.
Since the Powerball lottery is to expand to Australia in August and the UK in 2022, Idaho has withdrawn its participation.
The Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) decided to expand its operations last year as it lost revenues due to the pandemic.
Some lawmakers have raised concerns that the expansion could reach countries with different governmental or societal views to the US.
Representative Chris Mathias said: “My concern is the delegation of authority, and essentially turning over our sovereignty to this Multi-State Lottery Association.
“I think we should be concerned that they could be persuaded, that they could be lobbied heavily, by countries that we are not particularly friendly with.”
Idoha to lose revenue
Powerball generates approximately $30m in sales annually, $14m of which is set aside for public education.
The elimination of the draw will also negatively impact the 1,200 Idaho Lottery retailers that receive a five per cent commission for every Powerball ticket sold.
