Illinois sell-off raises social policy issues

Illinois has formally opened bidding for the state’s lottery, the New York Times reports. Illinois expects to make as much as $10 billion from the sale. The deadline for bidding ends February 22. The sale would mark the first such privatization in the US, where all lotteries have been state run since the early 20^th century. All of a sudden, even state lottery critics are beginning to see the light. “Taking lotteries out of state hands could raise tricky social policy issues," the Times reports, as private operators will be interested in maximizing revenue with no regard for the "duty of care" exercised by publicly elected officials. We hear you, Illinois: If there's one thing worse that the state being involved in gambling, it's the state not being involved in gambling...