Oklahoma State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-524-0126

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For Immediate Release: February 28, 2006

    
Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson   

Bill To Ban Lottery Sales at Pawn Shops Advances

The Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to prohibit pawn shops, payday lenders and check-cashing institutions from selling lottery tickets. Senate Bill 1089, by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, passed by a vote of 41-0.

“The people who visit pawn shops and payday lenders are likely facing financial hardship,” said Wilcoxson, R-Oklahoma City. “For the state to sell lottery tickets in such establishments is inappropriate and exploitative.”

The Oklahoma Lottery Commission had originally voted last October to temporarily allow pawn shops, payday lenders and check-cashing business to apply to sell lottery tickets, but reversed the decision a week later after several lawmakers spoke out against the policy.

“The Commission later reversed itself—but we know that they could still change their minds sometime in the future,” said Wilcoxson. “By placing the ban in the statutes, it will be much more difficult to reverse that policy.”

SB 1089 now heads to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where it will be next be heard in a legislative committee.

“The fact that this passed unanimously both in committee and on the floor of the Senate is an indication that we all feel strongly about this issue,” Wilcoxson said. “I am confident when House members have the opportunity to vote on this measure, they will join us in passing it.”

For more information contact:
Senator Wilcoxson's Office - (405) 521-5618