Scratch-off ticket fans turn out as South Carolina begins its first state lottery

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Posted 9:13AM on Monday, January 7, 2002

COLUMBIA, S.C.- Dozens of people crowded stores Monday morning as the state's lottery, approved by the voters after a long political fight over gambling, began selling tickets. Four types of scratch-off tickets, including one dubbed "Scenic South Carolina," went on sale at 3,180 retail locations across the state. The type of tickets where players pick their own numbers will come this spring. The proceeds are to be used to fund education programs, though exactly which programs has not yet been decided. "It's a great feeling of exhilaration and relief, all mixed up in one," said C.B. Smith, chairman of the South Carolina Education Lottery Commission. Smith, Gov. Jim Hodges and Columbia Mayor Bob Coble were at the Tiger Express convenience store for the first ticket sales in Columbia, one of four locations picked for the 6 a.m. kickoff. Michael Boyd said he used to drive to Georgia three or four times a year to purchase lottery tickets. "I thought when it got here I might go some more -- help the kids out with education," Boyd said. It's the end of a long political struggle for Hodges, who ousted incumbent Republican David Beasley to win the governor's race in 1998. He campaigned on a platform that state voters should be allowed to decide whether they want a lottery. The idea faced strong opposition from church leaders and many Republicans. Opponents said the lottery would cause the same problems and addictions as the video gambling industry, which was banned in the state in 2000. The public also was divided, although 54 percent of voters approved the lottery in November 2000. The General Assembly passed the lottery bill last June, and Hodges quickly signed it into law. Republicans insisted a spending plan be in a separate bill, and lawmakers are expected to take it up when they return to Columbia this month. Also in the future is any decision on whether to take part in a multistate lottery. Hodges wants lottery proceeds to fund college scholarships, technical school tuition, grants for teachers to earn master's degrees and classroom technology.