Even though state lottery revenues are expected to decline next year, Executive Director Ernie Passailaigue insists that it won't affect the operation's low-key approach to sales and promotion. That commendable restraint should be exercised by the Legislature as well, as it faces declining scholarship funds.

The lottery is expected to see $200 million less in revenue this year, largely because of competition from the new North Carolina lottery. That could mean less money for the popular lottery scholarships in South Carolina, as well as other lottery beneficiaries.

Indeed, the scholarships have proven so popular that the Legislature has made them more generally available by diminishing the standards. Meanwhile, state universities have developed programs to help more recipients retain them.

Greater eligibility, higher retention rates and declining revenues suggest a train wreck waiting to happen.

Even so, the state's low-key approach to lottery promotion shouldn't be changed as a result of lowered expectations.

Nor should the annual lottery allocation to K-5 supplemental programs be sacrificed as a result. Lottery proceeds are better spent to improve standards at the elementary school level, thereby ensuring improvements throughout the educational careers of state students, not merely easing the pain of college costs.

If the money isn't there to maintain current scholarship funding, the Legislature should look to the method by which it has dealt with general budget shortfalls and reduce lottery allocations equally across the board, as needed. Be fair, and share the pain.