State lottery; establishment and operation; maximum revenues; bids and contracts for equipment and services; prohibited activity; joint enterprises; education and treatment of compulsive gamblers.

(1) The commissioner shall initiate, establish, and operate a state lottery at the earliest feasible and practicable time. The lottery shall produce the maximum amount of net revenues for the state consonant with the general welfare of the people. The commissioner shall solicit bids from financially responsible vendors of data processing equipment and services for the operation of the lottery and may contract with the approval of the state administrative board. (2) The commissioner shall not conduct a lottery based upon an activity that utilizes the mechanical, physical, or mental skills of the participant and that is traditionally regarded as a sporting event. (3) The commissioner may participate in joint enterprises with other sovereignties so long as the commissioner determines that the joint enterprise is designed to produce the maximum amount of net revenues for the state consonant with the general welfare of the people. The commissioner shall only participate in a joint enterprise agreement that provides that the commissioner may discontinue participation in the agreement if he or she determines it to be necessary. The commissioner shall report to the legislature every 6 months on the progress of the joint enterprise agreement. (4) The commissioner shall submit a proposal to develop a program for the education and treatment of compulsive gamblers to the legislature within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory act.