SD lottery board relaxes promotional policy
Associated Press
• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Lottery's oversight board voted 6-1 this week to relax the promotions policy that governs licensed lottery operators.
• Now lottery operators can target specific groups with their promotions, such as hosting a "ladies night" under the rule change. Giveaways will no longer be calculated as part of the operator's payout.
• The new policy repeals a 23-year-old rule. Promotions still must follow other existing rules, said Clark Hepper, deputy director with the lottery.
• "It must be conducted in a manner that is in accordance with decency, dignity and honesty and good taste, and does not reflect adversely on the lottery or the state of south Dakota," Hepper said.
• Lottery Commissioner Doyle Estes opposed the rule change.
• "In my view we don't have much in the way of objective criteria," he said.
• He said some promotions could end up making the lottery look bad.
• A supporter of the change, Commissioner Chuck Turbiville, said, "I would hope that the lottery operators would use common sense."
• Hepper explained to commissioners that the rule change was laid out in the lottery's strategic plan adopted last year.
• "It's an integral part of that strategic plan," he said, "and promoting and moving the video lottery industry in a positive direction."
• The commissioners voted 3-2 earlier this month to accomplish the same goal. That vote was disqualified because the change required at least four votes.
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Man accused of kidnapping daughter found in Idaho
• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- An Oregon man accused of kidnapping his daughter in southeast South Dakota has been arrested in Idaho.
• Lt. Matthew Burns with the Sioux Falls Police Department says 24-year-old Jared Swets was arrested in Boise, Idaho, on kidnapping charges Wednesday. The 2-year-old girl was found unharmed.
• Burns says the man from Grants Pass, Ore., did not return the girl to her mother
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