AUGUSTA – Gov. Angus King wants all of the Maine State Lottery vending machines in grocery stores removed in 21/2 years.

King proposed the move in his two-year budget, saying he’s uncomfortable that the machines aren’t monitored.

King said children still can gamble even though the machines are marked with warnings that say users must be 18 years old.

The lottery machines can’t be yanked immediately because the state recently signed three-year contracts with the supplier. The contracts expire in 21/2 years.