Title
Urging the Pennsylvania Lottery to allow for the creation of a Philadelphia specific lottery game with all revenue generated from the game to be dedicated to the Philadelphia School District.
Body
WHEREAS, With the current deficit of funding provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the Philadelphia School District, it is necessary to create non-traditional funding sources that can fill some of the holes created by the elimination of State funding; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Flyers administer a 50/50 drawing at every home game. During the 2013-2014 Season, the Flyers generated over $2 million total through their 50/50 drawing, with half of that revenue going to Comcast-Spectacor Charities. Over the 49 different games and events held at the Wells Fargo Center by the Flyers Organization, they averaged over $42,000 per event, or nearly $2 per attendee; and
WHEREAS, While the Pennsylvania Lottery does not report the amount of revenue generated, residents of Philadelphia were by far the biggest winners of lottery prizes during 2012-2013 with over $290 million. With the understanding that in order to win the most money, Philadelphians must also play the lottery games more than every other county, it stands to reason that a specific game for the Philadelphia School District would generate substantial revenue even after any administrative fees charged by the Pennsylvania Lottery were deducted; and
WHEREAS, The envisioned game would be modeled on the existing Philadelphia Flyers game. Instead of nightly drawings, the hope would be to hold one drawing per month, at either the end or beginning of each month so that the total pot could rise substantially and generate increased attention as the month progresses. The total revenue generated by the game would be split by the winners and the Philadelphia School District, creating a substantial and recurring revenue source for the District on a monthly basis. The goal for revenue would be similar to that reached by the Flyers, or roughly $2 per resident, or $3 million per drawing. If realized, this game could generate over $15 million per year for the Philadelphia School District; and
WHEREAS, With the limited ability of Philadelphia to plug the Philadelphia School District's entire deficit, and unwillingness shown by the Pennsylvania General Assembly to provide more funding, we must continue to explore non-traditional sources of recurring revenue. Philadelphia residents would proudly support another opportunity to help our schools, if only the Pennsylvania Lottery would give them the chance; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Pennsylvania Lottery is urged to allow for the creation of a Philadelphia specific lottery game with all revenue generated from the game to be dedicated to the Philadelphia School District.
FURTHER RESOLVED, Than an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Sil Lutkewitte, Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director, as evidence of the sentiments of this legislative body.
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