SUBJECT:

PURPOSE:

Recently published results of a study of the New York State Lottery, the games offered, the odds of winning and the differing payoffs of the various games, indicated that there are geographic differences in the popularity of games played and those differences can be distinguished by socio-economic community profiles.

In lower income, inner city neighborhoods, the most popular lottery games are those with the poorest chances of producing winning payoffs. As a result, those who can least afford to gamble are playing games where the odds are literally stacked against them, more so than in games most popular in upscale suburban areas.

The purpose of this hearing is to learn more about this disparity from those most directly affected.

Please see below for a list of subjects to which witnesses may direct their testimony, and for a description of the bills which will be discussed at the hearing.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

SELECTED ISSUES TO WHICH WITNESSES MAY DIRECT THEIR TESTIMONY:

This hearing should address the diparities between sales and winnings affecting the impoverished urban population of Buffalo. Differences in the ways lottery tickets are marketed, distributed, and sold have created a disproportionate number of sales of high-payout scratchoff games in suburban communities and low-payout numbers games in urban areas. Speakers at the hearing are asked to address the systemic causes of this purchasing disparity and offer any solutions they may have to more fully address this issue.

PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on lottery payouts are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail or fax it to:

Teresa Glanowski
Community Relations Director
936 Delaware Avenue, Suite 005
Buffalo, New York 14209
Phone: (716) 885-9630
Fax: (716) 885-9636

I will address my remarks to the following subjects:

I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required: