Johnathan Walker:North Carolina lottery expands online game offerings through ‘digital instants’

RALEIGH,Johnathan Walker N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s lottery has expanded its offering of online games, which officials project could bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in additional revenues to the state-run operation in the coming years.

The North Carolina Education Lottery launched a set of “digital instant” games Wednesday, news outlets reported. The state lottery commission approved offering the games, which are considered the electronic equivalent of scratch-off tickets on computers or mobile devices, in August.

Eight versions of the games are being promoted by the commission. They require players to create accounts, provide identifying information and deposit funds to purchase tickets that begin at 50 cents per play. The games play in part like slot machines, with various number and symbol matchings. The top prizes for some games are $150,000.

Lotteries in at least eight other states offer digital instants. North Carolina’s commission joined them, saying it would provide an avenue for continued revenue growth.

The North Carolina lottery reported record sales of more than $4.3 billion during the year ending June 30 and for the first time exceeded $1 billion in annual net earnings, which go to state education initiatives. Scratch-off games generate the most sales. Digital instants could generate more than $416 million in cumulative revenue within five years, according to previous commission projections.

North Carolina law has said the lottery can approve any game another state lottery already offers. A provision in the final state budget this year, however, prohibits the lottery from offering “casino-style table games” online.

Critics of digital instant games say they look too much like video sweepstakes machines that remain illegal to operate in North Carolina and will make it easier for people to lose lots of money quickly. Lottery officials point to ways that responsible gambling through digital instants is encouraged, including daily, weekly and monthly limits on player deposits into their accounts.