COLUMBIA - A South Carolina lawmaker has suggested that South Carolina consider online lottery ticket sales, The State reports.

State Rep. Chip Limehouse said the move is an effort to generate much-needed revenue for the state.

"Why not use the Internet to enhance what we??re doing? It seems like common sense," he said. "With dwindling sources of revenue to run state government, the lottery is one of the bright spots."

In fiscal year 2011-2012, South Carolina lottery sales increased 8.5% from the previous year to $1.1 billion, with nearly $300 million paying for college scholarships, school projects, school buses and libraries.

Through the first five months of the current fiscal year, sales are up almost 9%, in part aided by November??s $587 million Powerball jackpot.

State lawmakers would need to approve online sales, and no official legislation has been introduced.

State lottery executive director Paula Harper Bethea said she would defer to state legislators, though she stressed that she wants to make sure underage consumers do not buy tickets. Additionally, she said she wants the lottery to continue helping merchants that sell tickets. "We drive business inside their door."

Retailers earn a 7% commission on lottery ticket sales, which totaled $80 million in 2011-12.

"Our retailers are not excited about that (online) prospect," Bethea said. "They are our true partner in this. ??We are happy being a traditional lottery."

Read more about the threat of online lottery to c-stores in "You Can??t Win" from the April 2012 NACS Magazine.