Lottery in Alaska - Feasibility

“Feasibility of Instituting and Operating a Lottery in Alaska”


Prepared by: Edward Pavsek

Professor Sheri Ann Smith authorized a study to determine the feasibility of instituting and operating a lottery in the state of Alaska. Currently, Alaska is one of 12 states that do not have any form of government-operated lottery. With increasing budget shortfalls projected over the near future, various programs historically funded by the legislature face diminished budget allocations unless alternative revenues can be generated to supplement traditional funding sources. Lotteries are not a substitute for the taxing power of the state; rather, in the states with lotteries funds generated by the lotteries are used to enhance allocations already in place for a wide variety of social programs. I researched several aspects of the feasibility of having a lottery in Alaska: 1) I conducted primary research by distributing and collecting questionnaires surveying the interest amon...