Vending machine sale of lottery tickets considered by Nebraska senators

A legislative proposal to allow sales of state lottery tickets in Nebraska through vending machines attracted support Monday from retailers while sparking opposition from expanded gambling opponents.

Retailers would like to "free up labor" at their stores from dealing with lottery ticket sales when they could be busy processing their own retail sales, members of the Legislature's General Affairs Committee were told.

Nebraska and South Carolina are the only states that do not use vending machines to process lottery ticket sales.

The use of bar codes on driver's licenses can verify age eligibility, Rich Otto of Lincoln told the committee, speaking for the Nebraska Retail Federation and the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association.

"Machines check IDs," Nathan Brtek of Norfolk said, resolving the age issue.

Pat Loontjer of Omaha, executive director of Gambling with the Good Life, opposed the bill (LB493), arguing that it represents the latest effort to expand gambling in Nebraska following on the heels of casinos and sports betting.

Her organization will continue to "oppose any form of expanded gambling," Loontjer said.

Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, sponsor of the bill, said $908 million has been distributed from state lottery sales to help fund education, the Environmental Trust and the Nebraska State Fair since 1993, along with funding a program to combat impulsive gambling.

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Gene Sorensen (he/they) holds up a transgender pride flag in front of the capitol building during Trans Day of Visibility at the Nebraska State Capitol on Friday, March 31, 2023.

Michigan's Madi Ramey proudly wears a hat that resembles a cooked turkey after defeating Nebraska in a mercy rule win on Friday, March 31, 2023, at Bowlin Stadium.

Theater director Bob Henrichs (right) talks with sophomore Tyler Stover, who plays Lumiere, before a dress rehearsal of "Beauty and the Beast" at Lincoln Southwest High School.

Lincoln East's Grace Peterson (center) celebrates with her teammates after scoring a penalty kick against Lincoln Southwest in the 55th minute Thursday at Seacrest Field.

Christ Lincoln fourth graders Kylie Burger, Allie Borst and Lucy Klappenback (from left) reach through fencing to pet a sheep during the Ag Literacy Festival on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln.

257 fourth graders from 8 schools in the Lincoln area attended the Agricultural Literacy Festival at the Lancaster Event Center Fairgrounds.Students get an up-close and hands-on experience with several live animals including beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, swine and horses. They were taught about agricultural products, how they are produced, and how they are used.

Lincoln Southeast's Nate McCashland loses his footing after being slide tackled by Lincoln High's Tom Goe in the first half on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Beechner Field in Lincoln.

Nebraska's Brice Matthews (center) celebrates his three-run homerun as he heads back to the dugout in the seventh inning on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at Haymarket Park.

Nebraska's head coach Matt Rhule instructs player Luke Lindenmeyer during a football practice Tuesday at Hawks Championship Center.

Hannah Friedman (from left), Grace Choul and Arsenii Khokhuila color in Kristine Fry's preschool class at Arnold Elementary School on Monday.

Nebraska's Mya Felder (right) and head coach Rhonda Revelle (left) smile after Felder hit a home run against Purdue in the third inning at Bowlin Stadium on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

Nebraska's Corbin Hawkins (39) throws a strike against Illinois in the seventh inning at Haymarket Park on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Opponents of LB371, a bill that would make it a crime for anyone under the age of 19 to attend drag shows, hold up signs in support of transgender rights during a rally at the Nebraska State Capitol on Friday, March 24, 2023.

Kansas' Chandler Prater (25) and Nebraska's Alexis Markowski (bottom center) scramble for the ball as it is picked up by Isabelle Bourne in the first half during a WNIT game Thursday at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan.

Nebraska defensive lineman Nash Hutmacher (72) runs a drill during a March 23 practice at Hawks Championship Center.

Nebraska's Billie Andrews (left) tags out Iowa State's Milaysia Ochoa as she attempts to steal second base in the fifth inning on Wednesday at Bowlin Stadium.

A Bluejay hops along the branch of a pine tree on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Holmes Lake. Blustery conditions and overcast skies made for a drowsy Tuesday in Lincoln. Days ahead will see much of the same, with a chance of rain dotted throughout the week.

Roman Asaro eats beer-soaked cereal during the annual Lucky Charms eating contest at Mckinney's Irish Pub as part of St. Patrick's Day celebrations on Friday, March 17, 2023.

Delaney Gove of Ogallala, 13, (center) hides her face in embarrassment after family and friends, including Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Shirey (center right) and Capt. Rachell Rowley (right), singing her a birthday song during a send-off ceremony for Army National Guard's 1-134th Cavalry, Friday, March 17, 2023, at Atlas Readiness Center in Yutan. Shirey is one of the 13 Nebraska Army National Guard soldiers being deployed to Europe in the coming days.

A car fire at 620 S 17th St. blazes on through a snow storm as Lincoln Fire and Rescue circle the vehicle to assess the best way to put out the flames on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

Pius X senior and North Texas soccer commit Bree Korta poses for a portrait using multiple exposures to highlight one journey of her life at Pius with the "bolt" hand symbol to the start of her next journey at North Texas with the "eagle claw", taken at Pius X on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

Piper Hayes, (pink) leads dancers through a short course called 'Time for Heelz,' as part of the American College Dance Association North-Central Conference on Tuesday at UNL's Temple Building. More than 330 people from 22 universities registered to attend the conference hosted by UNL. The conference included classes, feedback, presentations and meetings, along with the four adjudication concerts. The American College Dance Association supports dance in higher education through regional conferences like the one hosted by UNL.

Young Freeman fans cheer on their team during the Class C-2 state championship on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Bellevue West celebrates their 64-41 win over Millard North's at the ceneter of the court following the Class A state championship on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Freeman head coach Jim McLaughlin hugs Carter Ruse as he exits the floor just before the end of the game against Amherst during the Class C-2 state championship on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Omaha Skutt Catholic celebrates and holds up ones with their fingers after defeating Platteview in the Class B state tournament championship game on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Ashland-Greenwood head coach Jacob Mohs (right) smiles after leading the Bluejays to back-to-back state titles as Ty Carey (left) smiles after defeating Auburn in a Class C-1 state tournament championship game on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Ashland-Greenwood's Cougar Konzem (right) blocks a shot from Auburn's Skyler Roybal during a Class C-1 state tournament championship game on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

SEM's Colt Schroeder (right) attempts to score three-points over Wynot's Dylan Heine (first right) in the second half during a Class D-2 state semifinal tournament game Friday, March 10, 2023, at the Devaney Sports Center.

Omaha Skutt's Jack Healey celebrates after making a game-ending block against Crete in the final seconds of the game, during a Class B state semifinal tournament game, Friday, March 10, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Ashland-Greenwood's Cougar Konzem (24) reacts after an and-one call against Ogallala during a Class C-1 state tournament semifinal game on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Thomas James adjust the Native American regalia of his grandson, Bird James, in the hallway before players take the court during a Class D-2 state tournament game Thursday, March 9, 2023, at the Devaney Sports Center

Crete's Benjamin Ehlers (center) dives into the crowd after defeating Elkhorn during a Class B state tournament game Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Paraeducator Neldy Fernandez (left) helps kindergarten student Roselie Horton pick a crayon color at Elliott Elementary School on Thursday. Fernandez also works with many other students as part of a program through Lincoln Literacy, including those with special needs.

Using an in camera double exposure, A cheerleader's pom-pom is used to frame Millard North's Neal Mosser as he blocks a layup attempt by Elkhorn South's Evan Werner in the first half during a Class A state tournament game Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena

Omaha Westside's Joshua Evans (10) and Rickey Loftin (1) holds up "W"s after defeating Lincoln East in a Class A state tournament first-round game on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Bellevue West's Josiah Dotzler (22) lets out a scream after scoring a basket against Lincoln North Star during a Class A state tournament first-round game on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Millard South's Khloe Lemon (left) embraces Mya Babbitt (center) after defeating Lincoln High during the Class A state girls basketball tournament championship game at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Pender's Maya Dolliver (center) hugs Madalyn Dolliver as their team celebrates their win over Oakland-Craig in the the Class C-2 state girls basketball tournament championship game at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Oakland-Craig player huddle up for a pregame prayer before taking on Pender in the Class C-2 state girls basketball tournament championship game at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Elkhorn North celebrates after defeating Omaha Skutt in the Class B girls championship game Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

North Bend Central's Kaitlyn Emanuel (23) and McKrae Muller (40) celebrate after defeating Adams Central in the Class C-1 girls state championship Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Hastings St. Cecilia teammates embrace after losing to Centura in the Class D-1 girls state championship Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Lincoln High's Briauna Robinson (center) celebrates with the Links' student section after defeating Millard North in a Class A girls state tournament semifinal Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Elkhorn North's Sydney Stodden (left) and Mallory Hansen celebrate the win against York during a Class B girls state tournament semifinal game on Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Centura (left) greets Cedar Catholic before a Class D-1 girls state tournament semifinal Friday at the Devaney Sports Center.

Adams Central's Gracie Weichman (far right) embraces teammate Megyn Scott as the overtime draws to a close to win a Class C-1 girls state tournament semifinal game Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

the Sidney bench jumps for joy after defeating Beatrice during a Class B state girls basketball tournament first-round game on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Omaha Skutt's Molly Ladwig scores a layup over Waverly defenders in the first half during a Class B state girls basketball tournament first-round game at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Elkhorn North's Britt Prince (2) walks onto court before facing Norris in a Class B girls state tournament first-round game Thursday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Millard West's Maddie Wallor hits Lincoln High's Briauna Robinson in the face while she scores a basket during a Class A girls state basketball tournament first-round game Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena

Millard North's Avril Smith (right) and Kayla Preston (back) fight for a rebound against Lincoln North Star's Aleviah Anderson (left) during a Class A girls state tournament first-round game Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Lincoln Southwest head coach Tim Barada hugs Brinly Christensen as the final seconds of the fourth quarter come to a close in the Hawks' loss to Millard South in a Class A girls state basketball tournament first-round game Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

A bank employee was taken by ambulance to a local hospital after a woman drove her car through a window of LincOne Federal Credit Union near 48th and Vine streets on Wednesday.

Malcolm celebrates after defeating Wahoo in a Class C-1 girls state basketball tournament first-round game Wednesday at the Devaney Sports Center.

Christ Lincoln Schools fourth grader Hudson Parr (right) rides the metal pig statue named Petunia as Gov. Jim Pillen watches on Wednesday.

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On Twitter @LJSdon

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Political reporter/columnist

Don Walton covers politics and the Legislature along with writing a weekly column.

The Nebraska Lottery confirmed that the winning ticket was sold at Super C No. 2 at 3202 S. 10th St.

The Nebraska Lottery said a winning Pick 5 ticket worth $62,000 was sold at a Lincoln lottery location.