I guess nobody saw this one coming.

The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. – January 30, 2005

Jan. 30–When the Louisiana Lottery began in 1991, the perception among residents was that the money would go toward improving education in the state.

While education did receive some funds from the lottery, it didn’t get money from the state’s general fund.

“When the lottery was put forth, it was a misconception that the money was going towards education,” said Gary Reed, who works in the Legislative Affairs office of the Louisiana Department of Education. “It was almost kind of a shell game.

“The money was earmarked for education, but it went into the general fund,” he said. “It’s hard to say if we were any better off or worse off.”