NC lottery ad restrictions approved by House panel

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A legislative committee has agreed to let the North Carolina Education Lottery keep its name for now but wants new advertising restrictions on the games.

A House judiciary committee voted Wednesday unanimously in favor of the legislation.

The measure would require commercials to include the odds of winning a game's largest prize. Advertising or sponsorships at university sporting events would have to stop. Ads also would have to disclose that big jackpot winners receive less if they take winnings upfront.

Chief sponsor Rep. Paul Stam of Apex says the bill would make sure the lottery is more honest and transparent about its games.

Lottery executive director Alice Garland says it could cost the lottery more than $300,000 to retool billboards to provide the required information.