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The N.C. Education Lottery has made a pitch to broaden its fan base, but a group opposed to the lottery says the effort is off base.

Starting this season, lottery officials have been selling tickets at the state's minor league baseball stadiums, including NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro.

"We are always looking for ways to reach a different audience," says Pam Walker, a lottery spokeswoman. "This is one way where we feel like we can reach adults that ... might be interested in buying lottery tickets."

This year's lottery road trip included stops in Asheville and Greensboro. That was the third stop in the Gate City this season.

Lottery officials will make another stop here Aug. 22 when the Grasshoppers play the Greenville Drive.

"Come out to cheer on your local team and stop by the N.C. Education Lottery booth ...," says a promotion on the lottery Web site, www.nc-educationlottery.org. "Have some fun playing our latest games and spin the prize wheel for your chance to win great prizes."

Efforts to reach Grasshoppers officials last week were unsuccessful.

Lottery officials said they have heard no complaints about combining gambling and America's pastime.

"Everything has been very positive so far," said Walker, who noted that sales at games typically run between $1,000 and $1,500. "(The teams) have been enthusiastic about working with us."

But the effort does have its critics.

"They are trying to promote the concept of gambling in venues with young children," said Bill Brooks, president of the N.C. Family Policy Council, a nonprofit and nonpartisan research and education organization in Raleigh.

"All this promotion should be banned by the General Assembly."

Lottery officials said their promotional effort this year also included ticket sales at several festivals and auto races across the state.

In just over two years, Walker said, the lottery has contributed more than $750 million for education in the state.

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com