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Minnesota Lottery posts record $100 million profitNews Story
Seven months after a critical audit report and the suicide of its director plunged it into turmoil, the Minnesota State Lottery posted a record contribution to the state for the fiscal year 2004 -- $100 million. This is really good news, said Gov. Tim Pawlenty at a news conference at the Dodge Nature Center in West St. Paul on Monday. The Minnesota Lottery has been through some difficult months. The appointment of acting director Mike Vekich after George Andersen's death resulted in bold, dra
Jul 20, 2004, 7:56 am - Lottery News

W.V. Lottery sets single-month sales recordNews Story
But record year could be jeopardized if Pa., Md. legalize slotsMay was a record sales month in what will be a record year for the West Virginia Lottery, with profits to the state topping the half-billion-dollar mark.However, Lottery Director John Musgrave warned Tuesday that the lotterys halcyon days could be over possibly as early as today with the imminent legalization of video slots in Pennsylvania.That will certainly affect our net [income] and our play in West Virginia, Musgrave said of the
Jun 30, 2004, 8:03 am - Lottery News

Virginia lottery winner badly in debtNews Story
Suzanne Mullins used her lottery winnings as collateral for a loan in 1998Eleven years after becoming a millionaire through the lottery, a Roanoke, Virginia woman has seen her fortune turn to debt.A circuit court judge ruled last week that Suzanne Mullins owes $154,146.50 in defaulted payments to a Florida company that gave her a loan six years ago with her lottery winnings as collateral.It seems an unlikely outcome for someone who once purchased a lottery ticket worth $4.2 million.But as with o
May 3, 2004, 9:43 am - Lottery News

Scientific Games Reports First Quarter 2004 ResultsNews Story
Revenues Increased 51%; Net Income Increased 80% to $20 million; Earnings per Diluted Share were $0.22Scientific Games Corporation today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2004. Revenues for the first quarter of 2004 increased 51% to $185.5 million compared to $123.2 million for the first quarter of 2003. Income before the preferred stock dividend was $20.4 million, an increase of 80% over 2003 first quarter income of $11.3 million, and diluted earnings per share increased 6
Apr 22, 2004, 5:17 pm - Lottery News

Georgia to scale back lottery-funded HOPE programNews Story
The nation's most sweeping lottery-funded scholarship program was reined in Wednesday by Georgia lawmakers, who trimmed the popular HOPE scholarships out of fear they will soon cost more than lottery revenues can provide.The scholarships which cover books, fees and tuition for B students at state schools will get new qualification rules in response to warnings the program is growing out of control.The scholarships cost $21 million in 1993, the first year. This school year, the state expects to s
Apr 8, 2004, 6:02 am - Lottery News

Ohio Woman Guilty in Mega Millions CaseNews Story
A woman who claimed that she bought and lost a $162 million lottery ticket was found guilty Tuesday of filing a false police report. She was fined $1,000 and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.Elecia Battle, 40, of Cleveland, reached an agreement with prosecutors that called her to plead no contest to the misdemeanor charge with the understanding that she would be found guilty. She could have gotten six months in jail.Shortly after a Dec. 30 lottery drawing, Battle filed a police
Apr 6, 2004, 12:29 pm - Lottery News

Lottery scammer gets 18 monthsNews Story
A native of Russia was sentenced to 18 months in prison Wednesday in federal court in Chicago for taking part in a telemarketing scam that cheated mostly elderly victims in the United States and Canada.Typically, victims were led to believe they had won a large cash prize but first had to send money to cover duty costs, taxes or liens.One 81-year-old woman from Aurora, repeatedly hit up for more and more money, dventually lost more than $200,000 in the scheme, authorities said.In pleading guilty
Mar 11, 2004, 5:20 am - Lottery News

Minnesota Lottery moves to boost integrityNews Story
Legislation designed to increase accountability at the Minnesota Lottery moved forward Wednesday, while fallout from the lottery's troubles continued.A Senate committee passed a bill that would have the state lottery director serve at the pleasure of the governor, which means he or she can be removed for no reason. Current law requires the governor to show misconduct before firing the director.Sen. Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope, introduced the bill this year after reports the lottery director may have
Mar 4, 2004, 4:24 am - Lottery News

Minnesota Lottery Cancels $1.3 Million in Contracts with Media RareNews Story
The Minnesota Lottery says it's canceled promotional contracts worth $1.3 million a year with Media Rare.That's the St. Paul company that auditors said received special treatment under former lottery director George Andersen.A lawyer for the lottery says the contract cancellations will be effective April 27. The contracts were for promotional TV and radio shows.The lottery also is considering canceling an additional promotional agreement with the company involving a special vehicle. Already, the
Mar 3, 2004, 4:05 am - Lottery News

Extensive Minnesota lottery probe underwayNews Story
Minnesota gambling enforcement agents have begun a sweeping investigation into the Minnesota State Lottery that likely will involve inspecting hundreds of contracts with vendors for any improprieties. It is expected to take months to complete. As far as I'm concerned, there are no boundaries, said Norm Pint, special agent in charge of the gambling enforcement division of the Department of Public Safety, which is conducting the probe.Pint said Wednesday that the investigation was prompted by the
Feb 19, 2004, 6:58 am - Lottery News