Lottery ads during the Super Bowl
Our friend(s) over at O'Malleywatch posted today with a critique of the Maryland lottery ads that ran during the Superbowl last night. Not only is he/she questioning the state's decision to buy such pricey airtime but also the decision to pitch the lottery as a way to turn your life around:
Martin O’Malley talks about check cashing schemes stealing from the poor, or Wells Fargo targeting homeowners but makes no mention of the advertising campaign of the Maryland lottery that is targeting the poorest among us.I’m all for people making their own choices and being responsible for the decisions that we make, but this commercial made it seem like the only way someone can get ahead is by winning the lottery. It’s one thing for private companies to be deceptive, but for the government to do so is another thing entirely.
That's certainly an interesting point, given that O'Malley has expressed some real qualms about the idea that gambling proceeds should fund state government. (Recall the reference from mayor O'Malley to slots as "a pretty morally bankrupt" way to fund education.) There has always been controversy about the extent to which state-sponsored gambling is really a tax on the poor, and last year, majorities of the General Assembly and the public voted to accept slots notwithstanding. But does the current economic climate put that decision in a different light?
Comments
That's certainly an interesting point, given that O'Malley has expressed some real qualms about the idea that gambling proceeds should fund state government. (Recall the reference from mayor O'Malley to slots as "a pretty morally bankrupt" way to fund education.)
Don't you mean flip flopping on this issue as is MOM's mo?
How can he have reservations when he pushed the slots vote in Annapolis?
Spend more time reporting the news instead of covering for the inept incompetent boy king!
Posted by: jay | February 2, 2009 5:00 PM
It did seem pretty out of place to me. Probably not the best use of what should be education money. Unless they have proof that ads spike ticket sales.
On the plus side, I kind of like their commercials.
Just to be devil's advocate about O'Malley though: Sometimes people have to support things they don't like for the greater good. The benefits to the state seem to outweigh one person's believed risks at this point. The state is desperate for money based on an inherited disaster of a budget. The writing was on the wall. The Assembly wanted it and the people wanted it (it passed with 70% or so right?). Rather than fight it, he helped get it through and kept the Mike's and most voters happy at the same time. He did what 70% of voters wanted. The problem with that again is?
Posted by: James C | February 2, 2009 6:40 PM
I've spent so much time talking about the fact (not opinion, fact) that the Lottery is regressive that the Super Bowl ad didn't really surprise me.
But it seems that it crossed a threshold for people less focused on gambling issues than I (yes, that category includes just about everybody). I'm thrilled to see this topic getting proper attention from both sides of the aisle.
Are we going to face the fact that poor ZIPs like 21215 (Park Heights) are paying far more in taxes than anyone cares to recognize?
Posted by: Aaron Meisner | February 2, 2009 8:20 PM
Though I oppose the lottery and slots and hate these "promos", the station, whichever it is on, is probably paid upfront or does it as a PSA. This probably cost the state nothing or no more than it is contractually obligated to. (Apologies to Mr. McIntyre)
Posted by: mdlrvrmuncher | February 2, 2009 9:37 PM
This is a GREAT Point, and you shouldn't let this story go.
The Maryland Lottery spends TONS of money marketing lottery tickets, and to have the drawing interupt the Super Bowl Half Time Show is simply stupid. Maryland taxpayers should not be paying for Buddy Roogow and his idiot marketing tactics.
I'm sure that NFL Properties will be interested to know that their programming was tagged with a Maryland Lottery logo. Isn't WBAL affiliated with NBC? They took a huge risk by interupting the feed of a live NFL event.
Yeah, the NFL is not real nice when it comes to stealing their images and/or programming.
Posted by: Jen Marsh | February 3, 2009 5:42 PM