Legislature Wants Say in Privatizing NJ Lottery

The state Senate has passed a measure giving the Legislature a say in plans to privatize New Jersey's Lottery.

The bill approved Monday requires legislative approval of any private vendor. It now heads to the desk of Gov. Chris Christie, who may veto the measure.

The state Treasury Department is looking to hand over sales and marketing to a private company. The state would keep ownership of the lottery and would try to find work for 150 lottery workers under the new arrangement.

New Jersey has the eighth largest state lottery in the country. But some officials believe a privately managed lottery could bring in more revenue, which it shares with education and social services programs.

The lottery grossed $2.8 billion in revenue last year.

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