The North Carolina lottery is now officially online, even though the first games aren't.
Late Thursday, the state started the Web site http://lottery.nc.gov/ with information about the lottery that was signed into law Aug. 31.
At its first meeting last week, the nine-member lottery commission agreed that an Internet presence was needed as soon as possible.
The Web site also sets out the job description for the lottery executive director's position. The position also is expected to be posted in newspapers this weekend.
The director, which could be the highest-paid post in state government, will create the lottery from scratch and run the day-to-day operations of the games. The first scratch-off tickets aren't expected until probably next spring, with numbers games to follow.
A director "must have considerable management and operation experience and knowledge of the state-sponsored lottery industry," according to the posted job description, while experience starting a state lottery is preferred.
"The successful candidate will have demonstrated commitment to integrity and the promotion of responsible gaming," the description reads.
The Web site also provides information on commission members and meeting dates as well as for potential retailers and vendors.
It's unclear whether this will become the lottery's permanent site, where players will be able to check on winning numbers and learn how to collect prizes. Some Web site domains that would sound suitable for the game such as nclottery.com already have been registered.
All they need to do is add e-mail addresses of the committee members. In the meantime I'll have to bug the governor about my choice of MegaMillions for multistate game and NO to computerized draws!
I can get some Charlotte Non-LP e-mail addresses if they start that computerized stuff.
You know what would be cool. If the MM/PP would move the drawing to the most recent state to join their club. Great promotion for the state. Especially when there was some huge numbers involved.
chew:
The first MM drawing with California was drawn in Hollywood. That would be cool.