It has not received a increase in its advertising budget in five years. This would allow for an inflationary adjustment for the period in which the advertising budget did not grow. The House Appropriations Committee does not provide an advertising increase in its current version of the budget, holding the appropriation at the same level it has been at for the last two years. Billboard advertising is an important piece of lottery advertising strategy since publicizing large pots spur sales. However, only a relatively marginal benefit is probable through increased use of outdoor advertising given the high level of current reach.
Advertising obviously has an impact on sales of products or services.
And experience in other states demonstrates that this true for lottery sales. Studies have shown that decreases in lottery advertising spending can have an adverse effect on lottery sales. According to the Florida Department of Lottery, both California and Connecticut experienced significant reductions in sales as a result of reductions in advertising budgets. Experience also shows that television advertising specifically can be very effective in increasing sales. Florida TaxWatch contacted officials with the Washington State Lottery to inquire about the effect of a television advertising hiatus it attempted.