The Coeur d'Alene tribe of Idaho announced plans Monday for a national lottery, saying it should bring in millions of dollars to help preserve tribal lands and dignity.
Planned to begin operations in the fall, the National Indian Lottery would allow people anywhere in the country to play by calling a toll-free number and charging the minimum $5 fee on a credit card, said David J. Matheson, general manager of the project. The $5 sale will provide five separate $1 tickets in the weekly game.He said the tribe hopes for an initial jackpot of $50 million for a winner picking six of 49 numbers, and the prize will be paid in a lump sun, rather than over 20 years, he said.
The lottery has been approved by state authorities and the U.S. Department of Interior.
Because the lottery calls will be received on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation, Matheson said the tribe believes that playing will be legal, even for residents of the several states that ban credit card use in lotteries.
There has been some criticism of the plan for selling lottery tickets across state lines, and states that run lotteries may challenge the Indian operation in court.
Matheson attributed the criticism to fear of competition.
Unistar Gaming Co., based in Colorado, will organize the operation for the tribe, Matheson said.