As recommended in our 2002 report, the Legislature amended the law to increase prize payouts for scratch-off games in order to maximize transfers to education. The Florida Lottery launched new scratch-off games using this flexibility, resulting in an additional $27 million transferred to the Education Enhancement Trust Fund in 2002-03. The Legislature also increased the bond requirement for filing bid protests, and the Lottery hired a consultant to review its procurement procedures, which contributed to the successful letting of the Florida Lottery's latest on-line vendor contract. The 2003 Legislature reduced the Florida Lottery appropriation by $1.6 million for 2003-04, based on our estimates of annual savings from centralizing prize redemption functions.
The Florida Lottery implemented our recommendations to develop a long-term plan for revenue growth and enhance the existing on-line games. The Florida Lottery is also in the process of implementing our recommendations to outsource field support operations, reduce the amount of leased office space, and is conducting a pilot study on centralizing prize redemption functions.

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.