You'll soon be able to play some Georgia Lottery games online.
The Lottery Corporation promises children won't be able to sneak through the cracks, but some parents worry kids will find a way to access games.
One behavioral health expert says the online option may open the door to more addiction problems.
Willie Mae says making certain Georgia Lottery games online is a bad idea and worries underage Georgians will find a way to play.
"They can't go in store and play it, so if they put it online they open it up for anyone to play online," said Mae.
The Georgia Lottery Corporation issued a news release that states, "Controls are planned to make sure players are at least 18 and to assure tickets are bought only in Georgia."
Mae isn't buying it.
"How are you going to stop teenagers or five and six year olds that go on the computer more than a grown person? How are you going to stop them from getting online and going to that website?" asked Mae.
"Our kids can get on there (certain websites) despite some of the precautions that are often times made," said Psychiatrist Dr. Angela Dawson.
Dr. Dawson is a psychiatrist at the Phoebe Behavioral Health Center and she says by making these games available online, the lottery is opening doors to underage gambling.
And it's not just minors we should worry about. Now that lotto players won't be using cash, Dr. Dawson says the chances of somebody becoming addicted to gambling are greater.
"Because they're not actually handling the cash, which lets them see a dwindling supply in front of them, they often times forget they've used it," said Dr. Dawson.
As for Mae, she says only in favor of the coming online play if minors cannot play.
"If they can block the children from getting on it, then yeah I'm for it because it will save time inside the store, but if they can't block it from children getting on then why put it online?"
She hopes that won't be an issue.
Again, Lottery officials say they will make sure minors are not allowed to play their games and they say online play should be available in the fall.
Online sales are projected to increase lottery revenue substantially which would provide more money for the state's HOPE Scholarship and pre-kindergarten programs.
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