Lottery invention: online and offline gamble blend

Lottery invention: online and offline gambling blend

The new sort of lottery gambling, named eScratch, appeared in the state of Kansas. State officials say it is probably the only game of its kind in the world because it includes both offline and online lottery experience. The game starts when a player purchases a ticket from a standard lottery retailer and goes ahead with a lottery Internet Web site, where he/she enters a unique account number and plays interactive games to know whether the ticket wins.

According to Ljworld.com, the eScratch game targets younger market serving of 25 to 35 year old players. Kansas Lottery Director Ed Van Petten said these gamblers are different from the rest lottery indulgers because these young users are bored by traditional scratch-off games.

"I thought it would be a great opportunity and be entertaining to a different demographic. The game made gambling industry news by being the first and only one of its kind run by a state”, commented Van Petten.

But the lottery initiative seems to stir a lot of controversy. The Legislative Coordinating Council imposed Van Petten on providing information about the game. "There is some irony in the fact that we approved an interim study on how we can increase personal, financial literacy - educate our young people on personal savings and investment - while another agency is trying to encourage younger citizens to increase gambling," said House Minority Leader Dennis McKinney, D-Greensburg.

According to the state and federal local laws Internet gambling is prohibited. But Van Petten protects the invention, “No wagering occurred online because players buy the ticket which is already determined to be a winner or loser. It’s just like any other scratch-off ticket. The Internet element is only for entertainment.”