Gregoire says lottery must not market to teens

Gov. Christine Gregoire has told the Washington Lottery Commission, which she oversees, to stop marketing to teens, saying she worries they may become addicted to gambling. In a Feb. 10 letter to commission director Christopher Liu, Gregoire told the state agency to "not, in any way, market lottery products to youth."

Gregoire acknowledged the state could lose revenue — the agency reports $13.7 million in annual sales to 18- to 20-year-olds. But she said she is "willing to take that chance."

Her letter follows an unsuccessful attempt by the state House to ban the Lottery from advertising to anyone younger than 21.

Earlier this month, the House Commerce and Labor Committee amended a gambling bill to include the advertising ban. Democratic members of the committee pushed for the ban after reading a copy of the commission's 2005-2007 business plan, which calls for marketing to teens. The gambling bill, House Bill 2872, would have raised the state's gambling age from 18 to 21 in nontribal card rooms and minicasinos. It died in the House Rules Committee on Tuesday.

In the letter, Gregoire wrote: "Because there may be little to no difference between marketing and advertising strategies directed at teenagers under 18 and those 18 and 19 years old ... my concern is that, by following such a path, we would increase the likelihood of younger teenagers becoming involved in gambling at an age when they do not fully understand the risks involved."

Lottery spokeswoman Jacque Coe said the letter was a "clarification" of previous discussions between Liu and the Governor's Office. Gregoire appointed Liu last year, and he was not director when the 2005-07 business plan was developed, Coe said.

She has said the commission will follow the governor's request in its next business plan.

Jennifer McCausland, director of Second Chance Washington, a gambling-prevention advocacy group, sent a copy of Gregoire's letter to The Seattle Times on Thursday. McCausland, who also sent the Lottery's business plan to legislators earlier this month, said she received a copy of Gregoire's letter Thursday night.

"It's clear that the governor understands the potential problem that gambling causes teenagers, and the Lottery in particular," McCausland said.

In the future, McCausland said, she hopes the governor will devote funds from Lottery's unclaimed prize account to prevent teen gambling and raise public awareness about the problem.

Karen Johnson: 360-943-9882 or karenjohnson@seattletimes.com