Lottery Post: Latest Lottery News

$180 Million Lottery Winners: 'We Want A Regular Life'

Fri, 09 May 2008 16:51:00 GMT

If you can't win it big in the lottery, you hope the ones who do seem worthy of the prize. Which is why few can be disappointed that a Minnesota couple has come forward to claim one of the biggest jackpots in North American history -- a whopping $180 million.

Councilor seeks city-only lottery game

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:59:59 GMT

In the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, a council member is suggesting that the city launch its own lottery game to raise money for cash-strapped public schools.

Louisiana man collects $97 million Powerball lottery jackpot

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:59:59 GMT

After nearly four months of keeping a secret, 73-year-old Carl Hunter of Metairie claimed the $97 million Powerball jackpot from the January 16 drawing at Louisiana Lottery headquarters this morning.

Seattle man will use lottery winnings for his mother's care

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:05:59 GMT

It's quite the Mother's Day gift: A Seattle man who won $1 million on a Lottery scratch ticket says he will use the money to take care of his 83-year-old mom.

Ex-boyfriend charged with killing $5M lottery winner

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:29:59 GMT

On Monday, Doris Murray was found dead in the same modest block home she had lived in on Barnes Road in the south-central Georgia town since before she hit the jackpot a year ago.

Software error stalls validation of some winning D.C. lottery tickets

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:46:10 GMT

A mysterious software bug in 17 lottery machines used by the D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board in Washington left several dozen winning instant ticketholders unable to immediately cash their prize tickets last week.

N.M. Lottery 'whips up' Indiana Jones scratch game

Thu, 08 May 2008 19:11:31 GMT

When the latest Indiana Jones movie makes its debut later this month, lottery players in New Mexico will be able to continue the movie characters' quest for fortune by picking up the latest scratch game.

Minnesota couple claims $180 million Powerball jackpot

Tue, 06 May 2008 21:40:37 GMT

Sue and Paul Rosenau are the winners of the largest lottery prize ever -- the $180.1 million Powerball -- in Minnesota. The couple said they won the jackpot exactly five years after the death of their 2-year-old granddaughter. Sue Rosenau said they must have an angel.

Iowa lottery offering receipts

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:33:00 GMT

Players who buy lottery or scratch tickets in Iowa now can receive a receipt, a move designed to enhance players' security.

Lawsuit claims NY state is ripping off lottery customers

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:54:00 GMT

A lawsuit claims the New York State Division of Lottery is tricking people into playing its Take Five lottery game by exaggerating the likelihood of winning.

Minnesota couple to claim $180M Powerball lottery jackpot

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:53:10 GMT

A middle-aged couple from Waseca County in southern Minnesota is expected to come forward today and claim the largest Powerball prize ever won in the state.

Record China Lottery winner collects prize in disguise

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:32:49 GMT

The Chinese lottery player who won the highest sports lottery, 82.34 million yuan (US $11.76 million), in China's lottery history collected his prize on Sunday under police guard.

Minn. Lottery office hears from $180M Powerball winner

Mon, 05 May 2008 17:54:05 GMT

Officials at the Minnesota State Lottery headquarters said today they have heard from someone who claims to be holding the winning Powerball ticket from Saturday's drawing that's worth $180.1 million.

$1 Quick Pick nets lottery riches

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:54:40 GMT

Kenneth Parsons, 59, of Live Oak, Florida, last week turned in the winning Mega Money ticket at the Florida Lottery's Tallahassee headquarters.

Scientific Games wins Pennsylvania Lottery contract

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:39:00 GMT

Secretary of Revenue Tom Wolf today announced that after reviewing best and final offers, the department has selected Scientific Games International Inc. to supply terminal-based game services to the Pennsylvania Lottery.

Youths prefer online betting

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Young adults -- a key growth sector for Canada's gambling industry -- are very interested in such "technology driven" options as online gambling, which is not yet legal in Canada, an industry conference heard yesterday.

Kentucky man thought he won lottery jackpot

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:00:00 GMT

A Kentucky man was shocked and happy when he scratched his lottery game card, but found out later it was worth $10 instead of $100,000.

Tenn. proposal for real lottery drawings withdrawn

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:38:28 GMT

A proposal to require the Tennessee Lottery to abandon computerized drawings has been withdrawn for the year.

Lottery Post member asks "Mr. Lotto"

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 07:30:37 GMT

A Lottery Post member asks columnist "Mr. Lotto" about the mysterious green ball, the 21st number drawn, in New York's Quick Draw game.

Lottery winner facing tax fraud trial dies

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:11:59 GMT

Former lottery multi-millionaire Alex Toth, who was broke and facing tax fraud charges, has died at the age of 60.

Before drawing, lottery finalists agree to split jackpot

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:20:59 GMT

Eight of the ten finalists in the Maine Lottery's $2.5 million Extravaganza Instant Ticket game agreed to split the spoils from a live drawing held Thursday at the Augusta Civic Center.

$13 million Florida Lotto winner dies a pauper

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:37:12 GMT

A former Florida Lotto multi-millionaire has died nearly broke.

Californians to get a full year to claim Mega Millions lottery prizes

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:15:03 GMT

Californians who keep their winning Mega Millions lottery tickets in their sock drawers will soon get an additional six months to dig them out and cash them in.

Mass. lottery store is success story

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:50:59 GMT

Ted's Stateline Mobil is the King Kong of Massachusetts Lottery agents, having sold $12.6 million worth of lottery tickets in 2007 -- the most of any store in the state.

Colorado Lottery director to retire

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:15:19 GMT

After 4 years on the job, Margaret "Peggy" Gordon is retiring as director of the Colorado Lottery.

Unemployed N.Y. Man Wins $14 Million Lottery

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:04:30 GMT

Sporting dark shades, a painted-on goatee, and an NYPD cap pulled down over his eyes, an unemployed New Yorker claimed a $14 million jackpot.

Stolen lottery ticket wins suspect a trip to jail

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:54:01 GMT

On Tuesday morning, three Orangeburg, South Carolina, police officers stopped a man accused of trying to cash in a stolen lottery ticket at the Corner Pantry store.

Man dons disguise to claim lottery jackpot

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:44:26 GMT

A New York lottery winner said he disguised himself with a marker-drawn beard when he accepted his prize to protect his new fortune from thieves.

$31 million lottery claimed by anonymous winner

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:12:01 GMT

And the winner of a $31 million California SuperLotto Plus prize is ... anonymous.

$10M lottery winner squanders fortune

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:24:01 GMT

He hit the lottery jackpot in 2005, but three years later, a British ex-soldier is destitute, down and out, living in a budget guesthouse.

Arkansas watches as Tenn rethinks lottery scholarships

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:21:00 GMT

If Lt. Gov. Bill Halter's push for a state lottery is successful, Arkansas legislators may want to consider Tennessee's dilemma before writing rules for spending proceeds that would be earmarked exclusively for college scholarships.

N.J. mom-and-pop lottery retailers worried about competition

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:48:00 GMT

Normally the domain of smaller convenience stores and food markets, lottery sales will ae sold in big chain stores like Target, Home Depot, and Dunkin' Donuts if a legislator's plan is made into law.

As Fla. lottery sales slow, schools stand to lose

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:46:25 GMT

Penny-pinching Floridians aren't playing the lottery as much as expected, and that's bad news for state legislators trying to minimize school budget cuts next year.

Tennessee Lottery computerized drawings under suspicion again

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:26:42 GMT

Once again, the Tennessee Lottery computerized drawing system is under suspicion of being glitchy or less than random. For three consecutive days, the winning ticket in the Cash 3 drawing was some combination of two sevens and a zero -- and it's not the first time it has happened.

Privatization of Texas lottery may get 2nd look in 2009

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:42:00 GMT

Although the prospect of turning over Texas' $1 billion-a-year lottery to the private sector received the coldest of shoulders when Gov. Rick Perry first suggested it, a year ago, proponents have been busy laying the groundwork for a second, more concentrated push when lawmakers return to Austin in January for the 2009 legislative session.

Man caught stealing from charity lottery

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:45:00 GMT

The boss of a charity lottery has been jailed for pocketing thousands of pounds and taking his family on the dream holiday which was supposed to be the grand prize.

N.C. man wins $200,000 on his first-ever lottery ticket

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:48:00 GMT

Herbert Marsh of High Point, North Carolina, won $200,000 the first time he played the lottery.

N.J. lawmaker wants to expand lottery reach, sales

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:54:00 GMT

Saying it would generate more cash for the state, New Jersey Senate President Richard Codey will push a plan to expand the New Jersey Lottery by selling tickets at big box stores such as Home Depot or Target, adding internet sales and even allowing people to play the games with their cell phones.

Ontario Lottery forced to publicize internal probe into 'insider win'

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:26:31 GMT

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. has violated the public trust and can't justify hiding documents about its internal probe into a $21.5 million win by a Cambridge convenience store owner, the province's privacy commission has ruled.

N.C. Powerball lottery ticket about to expire

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:48:31 GMT

The clock is ticking on an unclaimed Powerball ticket worth $800,000.

Mega lottery winner to stick with Ford, ex-wife

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:18:05 GMT

Mega Millions jackpot winner David Sneath said he indeed will buy Ford cars for himself and his family with his new fortune, after working 34 years for the company.

$135M lottery winner to boss: "I'm out of here"

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:41:39 GMT

David Sneath has worked at a Ford Motor Co. parts warehouse for 34 years, but it didn't take him any time at all to walk out once he discovered he had won a $136 million Mega Millions jackpot.

Tennessee Lottery a step closer to restoring real drawings

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:02:07 GMT

A Tennessee House panel has advanced a proposal to require the state lottery to abandon computerized drawings for its games.

N.C. Lottery conducts first Pick 3 Midday drawing

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:56:00 GMT

The North Carolina Education Lottery on Monday launched its second daily "Carolina Pick 3" game with its regularly-scheduled drawing at 3:00 p.m.

Powerball 10x promotion starts Wednesday

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:58:30 GMT

Starting Wednesday, April 2, 2008, all Powerball states will be offering Powerball players the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes by 10.

Tenn. lawmakers want to force lottery to drop computer draws

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:08:18 GMT

There is new discussion in the Tennessee Legislature about the possibility of the state lottery going back to using ping-pong balls to select the Cash 3 and Cash 4 winners.

Anniversary: N.D. Lottery reflects back on last four years

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:12:00 GMT

Four years ago today, North Dakota launched it's own lottery.

Georgia Lottery makes three new millionaires

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:24:00 GMT

A grandfather, a great-grandfather, and a young fry cook are three of the recent Georgia Lottery scratch ticket millionaires, each winning $1 million or more.

N.M. Lottery's delicious new scratch game

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:51:00 GMT

The New Mexico Lottery's latest scratch-off game looks good enough to eat.

239 people share second prize in Canada's Lotto 6/49 draw

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:54:00 GMT

What some are calling a mathematical fluke led to smaller-than-expected payouts for 239 second-prize winners of last Wednesday's Lotto 6/49.

Spending on others brings happiness

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:22:34 GMT

Money can buy happiness when it is spent on other people, scientists have discovered.

Some lottery millionaires can't wait to return to work

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:42:00 GMT

Many of us, if we won big in the lottery, would have one item at or near the top of our to-do list: never work again. But some lottery winners could not fathom the thought of leaving the job they love.

Millionaire lottery winner goes back to job at McDonald's

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:00:01 GMT

But if you visit a particular McDonald's store in Cardiff, Britain, you have a good chance of being served by a millionaire.

Mass. lottery winner dies in house fire

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:39:19 GMT

A New Bedford, Massachusetts, man who lived a modest life even after winning a $5 million lottery jackpot has died in a fire.

Lottery winner demonstrates the right way to claim a big jackpot

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:14:47 GMT

The winner of an $81 million lottery prize picked up her check from the Illinois Lottery Wednesday, after three months of careful planning with a team of specialists.

Tenn. Lottery audit: players spent $2 million on worthless tickets

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:48:00 GMT

The Tennessee Lottery made a series of missteps and oversights after a software glitch began generating faulty winning numbers last year, and players bought about $2 million worth of unwinnable tickets before the error was found, according to a state audit.

Appeals Court rules in favor of N.C. Lottery

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:59:50 GMT

The North Carolina Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a lower court's dismissal of a suit that challenged the way North Carolina's lottery was established.

Women win $276M lottery jackpot - and report back to work

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:00:00 GMT

If you thought you'd just won a fortune, would you go to work the next day? Eight women who toil in a tax office in Morgantown, West Virginia did just that on Monday, as they anxiously await confirmation that they hold the winning ticket in a $276.3 million lottery jackpot.

Illinois Lottery makes four lucky millionaires

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:15:47 GMT

The Illinois Lottery held its second-ever Millionaire Raffle drawing yesterday, which instantly created four millionaires.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:39:00 GMT

May the luck o' the Irish be yours today!

Tax office workers win Powerball lottery jackpot

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:35:02 GMT

Eight female employees of the Monongalia County sheriff's tax office in West Virginia won Saturday night's $276.3 million Powerball jackpot, officials said today.

$275M Powerball lottery jackpot goes to W. Virginia player

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:28:25 GMT

One of the tickets sold in West Virginia for the Powerball game Saturday night beat the astronomical one in 146 million odds to win the $276.3 million jackpot.

$275 MILLION: Powerball lottery jackpot raised again

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:21:17 GMT

The Powerball jackpot continues to build, now exceeding the level attained by Mega Millions last month before it was won by a Georgia couple.

Winning lottery ticket saved from shredder

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:18:03 GMT

An Australia man who unknowingly kept a winning lottery ticket worth $100,000 in a drawer for five years said he was close to putting it through the shredder.

Fortune cookie prophecy comes true for lottery winners

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:50:51 GMT

Two Nampa men will split a $600,000 Powerball prize, and they credit a fortune cookie for their good fortune.

Iowa Lottery requires winners to sign tickets

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:24:16 GMT

On the heels of a similar announcement from the Ontario Lottery, the Iowa Lottery has imposed a new rule aimed at reducing the possibility of retailer fraud.

Glitch in lottery system, N.L. woman says

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:33:00 GMT

A lottery player in Newfoundland says there could be a problem with Atlantic Lottery tickets after she says she was denied her prize.

Powerball lottery jackpot raised to $230 million

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:27:58 GMT

The jackpot in "America's Game" continues to grow, as do the lines at the lottery ticket counters.

N.J. lottery midday draws held late, not televised

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 22:14:00 GMT

The New Jersey Lottery's computer system is back on-line, after being down for about 3 1/2 hours this afternoon, officials said.

Lottery Post for iPhone earns Apple 'Staff Pick'

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:59:16 GMT

Lottery Post, the world's largest community of lottery players, today announced that the new iPhone Edition of its popular Web site was awarded a Staff Pick by Apple.