Cayetano backs
lucrative lottery

But, he added, since a lottery would
raise only $10 million to $15 million
a year, it's not worth the trouble

By Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin

Gov. Ben Cayetano is in favor of a lottery and would seriously consider one if it brought in enough money.

But, Cayetano said in a news conference this morning, because he thinks a lottery would only raise $10 million-$15 million a year, it wasn't worth the trouble.

"I have always been supportive of a lottery," Cayetano said.

While in the Legislature more than a decade ago, Cayetano said he would vote for a lottery but since then hasn't brought the subject up.

Now, however, he says that lottery foes have shown him that one would raise only $10 million to $15 million a year. "In the past, I had thought it would bring in $100 million -- if we are talking about that kind of money, I think we need to seriously consider a lottery," Cayetano said.

"Recently, the information I have been receiving leads me to believe a lottery won't raise a lot of money. They are talking about $10-$15 million -- that kind of money to allow a form of gambling, I think, I have some concerns about. . . . I would not support it."

In fact, "$10 million-$15 million for education is nothing; you can find money elsewhere, it would be better to cut some other programs."

Earlier this year Cayetano vowed to veto a proposal to permit casino gambling on the Big Island.