Administration taking bids for lottery privatization

(Harrisburg) -- The Corbett administration is taking bids from private groups interested in managing the Pennsylvania Lottery, but not everyone in Harrisburg thinks privatization is a winning ticket.

The governor's office announced last April it was looking to turn over part of the Lottery to a private manager.

Taking bids is just the next step in that process.

Democratic lawmakers object to the notion the Lottery needs to be privatized and say they're dismayed they haven't been able to provide more input.

Governor Corbett says it's out of the state Legislature's domain.

"This doesn’t require legislation," Corbett says. "Now if I find that it’s going to cause us to lose money, are we going to do it? No."

Corbett's office has laid down its terms for any Lottery privatization deal.

Among them: any agreement would span 20 years, with plans to grow profit and possibly implement Keno-like and Internet-based games.

Last year, the Lottery's profits amounted to more than $1 billion.

The money went toward programs for seniors.