"All it takes is a dollar and a dream." "Hey, You Never Know."

Sayings like these, and the nighttime drawings during local TV newscasts with Yolanda Vega, are things most can identify with for the New York Lottery. The games quietly began 40 years ago this month. Vega was a Brooklyn kid, age 7.

The New York State Lottery must have an incredible advertising budget to work with. It has to market many games, such as the Instant "Scratchers," Quick Draw, Daily Numbers, Win 4, Mega Millions, Take Five, Lotto and Pick 10. One can purchase these tickets in many places.

Around our region in 1967, there were only a few places that sold lottery tickets. New York was only the second state to have a modern lottery, following New Hampshire in 1964.

The Associated Press said this was the first lottery in 145 years; an earlier game ended in 1822. Corruption in privately operated lotteries became rampant at that time. Many awarded fewer prizes than advertised or no prizes at all.

Governments found themselves unable to regulate these lotteries and as a result began to consider prohibition. New York passed the first constitutional prohibition of lotteries in the United States.

Before that, New York and other states financed civic improvements such as courthouses, jails, hospitals, orphanages and libraries through lotteries.

Our state Legislature grappled with the idea of a lottery starting in 1966. Early estimates on the proceeds of ticket sales were at $400 million, which was slated for state aid to education. Current proceeds for education are in the $2 billion range.

The Senate passed legislation to give voters the final say on a lottery. There was debate in the Assembly with several opponents of the game in that chamber. Then-Majority Leader Earl Brydges denounced it as "immoral." But others said the people were clamoring for the game and they were convinced it was not immoral. The voters could decide in November.

Charles Cook, a former state senator from Delhi, was the Delaware County treasurer in 1966. Cook opposed the proposed Amendment No. 7 on the ballot.

"A lottery is a most expensive way to raise money. It costs about a penny to collect a dollar of tax revenue," Cook said. "It costs more than fifty cents to collect a dollar of revenue through a lottery."

Cook added, "The serious social effects of gambling have been evident every place where lotteries have been tried."

The people spoke, approving the constitutional amendment, authorizing the state to set up the lottery. The Legislature convened in January 1967 and began to develop the game.

In April 1967, state officials outlined the new program. Tickets went on sale June 1, and the drawing was set for July 20. The top prize was $100,000. Other prizes were lower, the smallest at $150.

The Oneonta Star did a survey around April 30, which was a deadline for applications for places to sell tickets. Most banks had applied in each county. The First National Bank in Edmeston, as well as the National Bank and Trust Co. of Norwich, today’s NBT, did not file applications.

Around Cooperstown, one could buy a ticket at First National and the National Commercial banks as well as the Lake Front Motel, Otesaga Hotel, Oaksville Hotel, Terrace Motor Court, and Weiner’s Diner and Motel at East Springfield.

Local governments could choose to sell tickets. Oneonta Mayor Albert "Sam" Nader was opposed to city sales.

"I’m not opposed to sale of tickets in our city," Nader said. He pointed out that school boards would get a benefit from sales and said, "If they are the ones who get the benefits, they are the ones who should be selling the tickets."

On July 20, winning tickets were drawn from what the AP called Y-shaped drums. Three residents of Otsego County and one from Delaware County were local holders of winning tickets. Elial Weir, of Fly Creek, Henry Elfield and John Brienza, both of Oneonta, and Alton Sutherland, of Sidney, were winners.

They were among the initial 1,547 across New York to be chosen. All names were placed in a "winners" drum for another drawing on the steps of City Hall in New York City.

Yolanda Vega got her start as a lottery spokesperson in 1990. The drawings are made in a TV studio in Schenectady and broadcast across the state.

This weekend: The A&S Railroad was completed in Binghamton in 1869.

City Historian Mark Simonson’s column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the area during the Depression and before. His Monday columns address local history after the Depression. If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or e-mail him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is www.oneontahistorian.com.