Hoosier Lottery to go private

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Indiana Lottery is about to undergo a major marketing blitz.

The State Lottery Commission hired a Rhode Island company to market, sell and distribute Indiana lottery games and tickets.

They believe it could drum up an additional $2.1 billion in revenue statewide.

"The commission was compelled by the potential value of this opportunity and the huge benefit to Hoosier taxpayers. Every extra dollar that is generated is one more dollar for the State's General Fund," said Karl Browning, executive director of the Hoosier Lottery.

The new agreement with G-Tech Company begins in February and increases the contracted services from 88 to 95 percent.

Governor Mitch Daniels applauded the move.

In a statement, Daniels said that the move will make the state stronger.

"This may be the easiest and most obvious decision the state has had to make," Daniels said. "Our lottery revenues lag far behind most states. With this contract, the only question is how much more money Indiana will receive than under the current system."

Daniels went on to say that he wants to leave office with the state in a strong "financial position."