King Kong Millions Sweepstakes
by Senator Frank Padavan

It has come to my attention that the Lottery Division is currently promoting a "King Kong Millions Sweepstakes," including the sale of scratch-off tickets, as a tie-in with the upcoming release of Universal Studio's new "King Kong" film. As you may know, and according to information on the film's official Web site, "King Kong" is set to be released with an MPAA-rating of PG-13; this means that the film is considered suitable for children thirteen and older, and that even younger children may be admitted. As you are well aware, the legal age to gamble on the lottery in New York State is eighteen years and older.

Underage gambling is a serious and growing problem. The National Gambling Impact Study Commission reported on the alarming trend that "adolescent gamblers are more likely than adults to become problem or pathological gamblers." And a study commissioned by our own New York Council on Problem Gambling found that "nearly one-third of the adolescent respondents have been able to purchase lottery tickets."

The Division's "King Kong" promotion will have the effect of encouraging underage gambling. I therefore request that the Lottery Division end this promotion, and withdraw all related tickets from sale.

By Frank Padavan, New York State Senator