CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A legislative panel has endorsed a proposal that would allow the state of Wyoming to grab some of the statewide lottery earnings.

The Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee voted 9-3 Thursday in Cheyenne to sponsor a bill in the upcoming legislative session that would allow the state to take 5 percent of the gross proceeds earned by the Wyoming Lottery.

State coffers would be enriched by about $1 million a year.

WyoLotto started selling tickets in 2014 after the Legislature authorized its creation. Its profits are shared with local cities, towns and counties.

But the state is facing budget deficits from declining mineral revenue and some lawmakers are looking at other potential revenue sources for the state.

Opponents of the idea say it will reduce the money going to municipalities.

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