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Lottery machines back

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The Associated Press

Published: August 19, 2009

TALLAHASSEE - Gambling is getting easier for Floridians.

That's because the Florida Lottery is rolling out the first of 1,000 instant ticket vending machines this week, starting in Tampa and Fort Myers.

The machines are returning to Florida after an eight-year absence.

All 1,000 should be in place across the state by mid-October, lottery officials said Tuesday.

The machines were losing money even before then-Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed their funding. He deemed it improper for the Legislature to have named a contractor in the state budget.
Lottery officials say they expect the machines to net an annual profit of $3.4 million because of better placement and management. All will get prime spots in grocery stores.

The Associated Press

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