By Rob Moritz
Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Mike Beebe today praised the early success of the new state lottery and defended his decision to vote against it last year.

“I haven’t changed my opinion,” said Beebe when asked about the lottery on his monthly radio call-in show.

The governor said he likes that the lottery is raising money for college scholarships, but he voted against it because he worries that many people might play it with money they need to pay bills or provide for their families.

He said he has no plans to play the lottery.

Many others have played the lottery since it began Monday, however. Players bought more than $2.5 million in scratch-off tickets during the lottery’s first two days of existence, officials have estimated.

The amount sold on Wednesday has yet to be released. About $1.5 million was paid out in prizes during the first two days.

“I’m a little bit surprised at the sheer volume of the amount of money that’s being spent and the amount of money that been paid out,” Beebe said during his radio show.

“Is this something higher that what people had thought … based upon the novelty of it, the fact that its at the beginning, or is it something that’s going to continue at this rate?” he asked.

State Lottery Director Ernie Passailaigue said today he believes some people have bought tickets because of their novelty, but he said it’s too early to tell what’s driving the sales.

“We think it’s a healthy environment for lottery and feel good about hoping to net about $100 million for scholarships over the next 12 months,” he said.

Passailaigue noted that Arkansas voters overwhelmingly approved the constitutional amendment to create the lottery last year. The amendment passed with nearly a two-thirds majority.

In comparison, Passailaigue said voters in South Carolina approved that state’s lottery — which he said is widely considered a success — with just 54 percent of the vote. In Georgia, the lottery was narrowly approved.

“You look at what the history of it is and apply it to scholarships, and it appears to be a pretty good precursor of things to come, but we’re not popping champagne corks off and saying we’ve got it made,” he said.

The lottery started with four instant-win games. Powerball tickets are scheduled to go on sale Oct. 31.

The governor said he was pleased with the lottery’s initial success.

“I am comfortable that they appear to be doing a good job, and the fact that it’s being rolled out relatively free from any problems.” Beebe said. “I think they deserve credit.”