LITTLE ROCK, AR - Kroger and Brookshire Grocery Co. have become the first two grocery chains in Arkansas to start selling lottery tickets through vending machines, the Arkansas News Bureau reports.

State lottery officials hope the trend continues, as they have 100 machines ready for distribution.

"They??re coming along," said Lottery Director Ernie Passailaigue. "We hope to have all 100 out as quickly as possible. I think we??ll have 15 or so out by the end of next week."

While Kroger was already selling lottery tickets in its customer service area, it decided to add the machines because of "the convenience to the customer," according to Kroger spokesperson Joe Bell. "[S]o far, the reaction by customers has been positive."

Prior to the rollout of the machines, the Christian conservative group Family Council fought to ban the machines, maintaining they lead to problem gambling and underage gambling.

Countering the latter, the new machines are equipped to scan driver??s licenses to ensure players are at least 18 years of age. They are also equipped with remote-control devises that can shut off immediately if a suspected juvenile tries to purchase a ticket.

Passailaigue referred to the machines as the future of the industry, estimating that each machine could generate about $50,000 a year for state college scholarships.