For $10, That Purse Better Be Big: More On Alberta Lottery

After Alberta announced June 19 it had approved a new hockey lottery so the Flames and Oilers could remain in the province, Canadian Gaming Minister Ron Stevens touted a C$10 instant-win ticket "as a possible favourite," according to Dan Palmer of the EDMONTON SUN. But Oilers President Patrick LaForge said that people paying $10 for a lottery ticket is "unlikely, ... which is why they're already all but writing off the idea, along with a suggested 50-50 draw." LaForge: "Let's just say those are on the back burner." LaForge added that "the negative feedback from fans contacting his office sank that idea." LaForge: "People don't buy [lottery] tickets for $10. The feedback for the idea was very negative." LaForge added that "similar feedback and research" by Alberta Gaming "also showed a 50-50 draw would prove just as unpopular." LaForge also said that three lottery ideas are being examined by the Flames, Oilers and Alberta. LaForge "wouldn't reveal what those options were," saying, "We don't want to speculate until we've done our homework" (EDMONTON SUN, 7/24).