Mega Millions means mega bucks for education in Tennessee

Wednesday, November 04, 2009 posted 09:53 AM EST

If you play Powerball, you'll soon have the chance to win big in another state game - Mega Millions. You'll be able to start playing the mega-jackpot game in early 2010. It could mean big money for your children as they get ready for college, but some religious leaders say it's a closet tax on everybody.

On Monday, The Tennessee Education Lottery Board of Directors approved adding the mega-jackpot game.

"The feedback we've gotten from players and retailers has been extremely positive but to the most positive feedback comes from the education community," says Tennessee Lottery President and CEO, Rebecca Hargrove.

That's because she says an extra $10 to $15 million annually will go to education programs. "When we raise Tennessee $15 million more in profits, those profits go directly to the programs we fund. Hope scholarships, pre-k after school. So all of the programs we fund will benefit from increased revenue."

This is good news for parents like Karen Burry, whose son received a full scholarship thanks to the lottery. "I love it. Because I mean, without it, I know we couldn't have afforded to send him through college like that."

But for religious leaders, it's a tough issue.

"It's just another example where the gambling industry plays on the greed of our society," says Dr. Bill Shiell with First Baptist Church-Knoxville. He says the lottery is an unfair tax on the poor.

"We should not have to resort to taking money on the backs of the lowest stratum of society in order to pay for the wealthiest people to have and education that they could have more than likely paid for themselves."

But for Karen, it's money she hopes her 12-year-old son will use someday. "Hopefully his whole education will be paid for through college."

Hargrove says by offering large jackpots more regularly, there will be increased revenue brought to the state. Mega millions is played in 12 states, including Virginia and Georgia. The current jackpot is $50 million.

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