Gambling foes sue over multistate lottery plan

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 | 11:12 a.m.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- An anti-gambling coalition has asked a judge to stop the state from entering a multistate lottery game.

The state Lottery Division has announced plans to join with eight other states starting May 17 in the "Mega Millions" game. It would be a successor to the popular "Big Game," which recently created a stir with a $331 million jackpot on April 16.

But anti-gambling forces asked state Supreme Court Justice Joseph Teresi Tuesday to issue a preliminary injunction blocking the state from participating in Mega Millions pending the outcome of another suit the group filed.

That court action challenges as unconstitutional the October 2001 law authorizing the state to enter a multistate lottery game, as well as providing for up to six new Indian-run casinos and for the placement of video slot-like machines at horse racing tracks.

Carolyn Hapeman, a spokeswoman for the state Lottery Division, said "we're confident the legislation will withstand" the court challenge.

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