N.C. Lottery snatches back some prizesNews Story
Some lottery winners have no luck. Before anyone can claim a big prize, state law requires lottery officials to first check on whether the winner owes the government any money. Lots do. Since the first ticket went on sale in North Carolina in March 2006, the lottery has collected $1.3 million in back taxes, delinquent child support, overdue student loans and other debts. For some winners, the hit is a few hundred dollars out of thousands. For others, the debt wipes out their whole prize ...
Apr 28, 2009, 10:37 pm - Todd - Lottery News forum

Tennessee may cap lottery winnings at $600 for poorNews Story
The Tennessee Legislature is considering a bill that could end up making life more difficult for the poor or could help them, depending on your point of view. The bill at the center of the issue is scheduled to be discussed at a committee hearing Wednesday. It would prohibit anyone receiving state or federal assistance, sometimes called welfare, from winning $600 or more in the state lottery. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Stacey Campfield (Knoxville), said that if someone can't afford the basic ...
Apr 7, 2009, 11:31 pm - Todd - Lottery News forum

Lottery win bad news for gas station employeesNews Story
Store owner allegedly sold winning lottery ticket, fired staff to avoid sharing commission Selling the winning lottery ticket turned out to be unlucky for four employees at the gas station that sold the $25.5 million ticket Jan. 3. The employees, a former manager and three cashiers, allege that they were fired because the Wadsworth Mobil owner did not want to share the one percent commission he received for the winning ticket. I'm kind of sorry we sold the winning ticket only because i ...
Jan 29, 2009, 11:00 am - Todd - Lottery News forum

CEO: Bonuses in lottery business are necessaryNews Story
In a year in which the state is cutting back on spending, freezing pay and laying off staffers, Georgia Lottery CEO Margaret DeFrancisco received a $150,000 bonus. In all, lottery staffers received about $2.5 million in bonuses this year. DeFrancisco said the incentives are necessary to keep the lottery which set sales records again this year competitive with other businesses in the market for top workers. The whole point is to attract and retain really talented people, DeFrancisco sai ...
Dec 29, 2008, 10:33 am - Todd - Lottery News forum

Lottery winner almost out of cash three years laterNews Story
For fun, Keith Bryce and his wife, Elizabeth, play bingo on Tuesdays at a Knights of Columbus Hall, or watch movies on a mattress in the living room. It's a long way from the craps tables, flashing lights and plush presidential suites at the swank Las Vegas hotels of their honeymoon. Since Bryce won the Mega Millions lottery three years ago, he has clashed with family, spent close to $3 million and isn't far from the poorhouse a place he assumed he'd never visit again. In the first 30 d ...
Dec 10, 2008, 8:05 pm - Todd - Lottery News forum

Spending on others brings happinessNews Story
Money can buy happiness when it is spent on other people, scientists have discovered. Research in Canada and the US suggests happiness is not greatly affected by higher incomes or financial windfalls, it is significantly influenced by the amount people give away. The more money people donate to charity or the more they buy gifts for loved ones or friends, the more likely they are to feel better about themselves, a team led by Elizabeth Dunn, of the University of British Columbia in Vancou ...
Mar 26, 2008, 9:22 am - Todd - Lottery News forum