North Dakota Lottery: Leader who pushed to start the ND lottery can no longer playThe leader of a petition drive to legalize the lottery in North Dakota can no longer play the game.
Rep. Andy Maragos, R-Minot, can no longer play the North Dakota lottery because his wife, Sherry, was hired by the North Dakota Lottery on Feb. 14.
State law prohibits immediate family members of lottery employees to play the game. Sherry Maragos was hired on as a customer relations specialist with the North Dakota Lottery, which is a division of the attorney general's office.
Andy Maragos said jokingly he was mad he can't play anymore, but he is glad his wife landed the job.
Being nixed from playing the lottery is a minor concern for the couple.
Since her job is in Bismarck, she will have to move from Minot to Bismarck, but Andy Maragos plans on living in Minot, at least for now.
"I might move down here at some point," he said.
If he ever does decide to move he would have to give up his seat in the Legislature.
Andy Maragos led a petition drive to allow voters to decide if they wanted to establish a lottery. The initiative passed in November 2002 and the first lottery tickets were sold in March.
