Gov. McMaster executive budget proposes lottery changes that could support controversial voucher programs

If approved by the General Assembly, South Carolina would join most of the nation in allowing debit card purchases of lottery tickets. COLUMBIA, S.C. — Lawmakers gathered at the State House on Tuesday morning to kick off the General Assembly’s first session of the year, with South Carolina’s budget taking center stage. Among the items in Governor Henry McMaster’s executive budget proposal, released Monday, is a measure to allow the purchase of education lottery tickets with debit cards in addition to cash. “If we sell more, we get more commission,” said Mr. Patel, a Shell franchise owner in Columbia who reported selling between 20 to 25 books of South Carolina lottery tickets weekly. “I think commission will be between $3,000 or $4,000, just depends.” Patel noted that his store frequently accommodates large numbers of lottery customers, including visitors from out of state. However, he often has to explain the cash-only policy to frustrated buyers. “Around the holidays, people come from out of state, and they try to get tickets with debit cards, and we have to tell them, ‘No, our state is cash only,’” he said. Governor McMaster’s budget proposal for the 2025-26 fiscal year seeks to change that policy, citing potential financial benefits for the state’s education programs. “The Board of Economic Advisors’ fiscal year 2025-26 education lottery proceeds and investment earnings are currently projected to be $31.9 million less than the amount appropriated in last year’s budget,” McMaster said during a press conference announcing the budget. He added that a survey conducted by the lottery estimated allowing debit card purchases could generate an additional $52 million in proceeds. McMaster explained how the potential revenue boost could be used to strengthen education funding. “That could be utilized to fund the Education Scholarship Trust Fund or to increase the LIFE, HOPE, and Palmetto Fellows scholarship amounts,” he said. Last September, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled parts of the scholarship trust fund unconstitutional after some funds were allocated to private school voucher programs. The governor’s new budget proposal includes $30 million for the fund, anticipating lawmakers will address the court’s ruling through new legislation. If approved by the General Assembly, South Carolina would join most of the nation in allowing debit card purchases of lottery tickets. Tennessee and Wyoming would remain the only two states requiring cash-only lottery purchases. How to Get Rid of Snapchat AI: Strategies for Effective Removal