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China reveals misuse of $2.7 billion in lottery fundsNews Story
China has uncovered widespread misappropriation of 16.9 billion yuan (US$2.72 billion) of funds from its state lottery program, underscoring the extent of official corruption as the country tries to root out graft. Funds were misappropriated through the buying and building of office buildings and hotels or embezzled, the National Audit Office said in a report on its website. The state auditor said the irregularities accounted for a quarter of the total of lottery funds received in its 2012
Jun 25, 2015, 8:12 am - Lottery News

Private management could be Alabama lottery optionNews Story
If Alabama gets a lottery, private management may at least be an option. But the Republican leader of the Senate said Wednesday he did not want to commit to any particular proposal, being wary of some of the negative experiences of other states with private managers. Having no experience in the lottery field, we're just going to have to look at what other states have done and what's worked best for them, he said. Marsh is sponsoring legislation that would establish a lottery and gambli
May 22, 2015, 7:17 pm - Lottery News

Alabama lottery plan approved by Senate committeeNews Story
By a vote of 5-3, the Alabama Senate Tourism Committee on Thursday approved Sen. Del Marsh's (R-Anniston) lottery and gambling expansion plan. It now proceeds to the full Senate for consideration. If passed into law, Alabama voters would have the opportunity to approve a constitutional amendment legalizing a state-sponsored lottery and casino gaming. That vote would likely take place September 15, two weeks before the end of the current fiscal year. The bill would tax casino earnings at 13 pe
May 15, 2015, 8:09 am - Lottery News

Pennsylvania lottery winners to be taxed for the first timeNews Story
New Penn. Gov. Tom Wolf proposes historic tax increases By Todd Northrop Tucked into the depths of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf's first budget plan is a proposal to tax lottery winnings over $600. The newly-elected Democrat Governor's spokesman says that California and Pennsylvania are the only states with income taxes that exempt lottery proceeds. Some states have no income taxes, and those states also do not tax lottery winners. We have a massive budget deficit that we need to c
May 12, 2015, 10:55 am - Lottery News

Alabama lottery proposal set for Senate debate TuesdayNews Story
If Alabama approves a state-sponsored lottery, it will be heading down a well-worn path one trod by 44 states so far. But one element of the lottery proposal by Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, remains unusual: the Legislature would be able to spend the cash at its own discretion, rather than marking the money for a specific purpose, such as college scholarships. It is uncommon for states not to earmark the money, Thomas Garrett, a University of Mississippi economist who studies state lotterie
May 10, 2015, 11:36 am - Lottery News

Minn. Senate passes bill restricting expansion of State LotteryNews Story
Minnesotans soon may no longer be able to buy lottery tickets at ATMs, gas pumps or online, as the Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill Thursday that would restrict the Minnesota State Lottery's yearslong foray into new gambling platforms. The decisive 56-8 vote was a rebuke to Gov. Mark Dayton, who vetoed a similar measure last year. Bill author Sen. Lyle Koenen, DFL-Clara City, and Republican advocates of the bill framed the issue as one of legislative prerogative, accusing the State Lott
May 9, 2015, 7:30 am - Lottery News

GOP proposal would open door to lottery, casinos in AlabamaNews Story
A constitutional amendment that would legalize gambling in Alabama authorizes a lottery, casino gambling and expanded Indian gaming. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, a Republican from Birmingham, Ala., gave other state senators an initial draft of the legislation Thursday. It calls for a Sept. 15 election so voters can decide the amendment's fate in wake of a projected $250 million shortfall in state's revenues this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. I could come in on Tuesday and my co
May 5, 2015, 8:22 am - Lottery News

Court rules grandmother, 90, will receive $1.85 instead of $41M jackpotNews Story
As a 90-year-old grandmother, Pauline McKee tries to maintain a sweet disposition. When she played a penny slot machine that told her she had won more than $41 million, the Antioch woman remained pretty calm. That was nice, she said, recalling her reaction. Very nice. And when she learned on Friday that the Iowa Supreme Court ruled the casino does not have to pay her the big bucks, McKee took it stoically. Instead, she won a mere $1.85 on the bet. I had my doubts from the start, be
Apr 26, 2015, 10:32 am - Lottery News

A state lottery could help Alabama get its financial house in orderNews Story
Fifty years ago, lotteries were illegal in every state, but they have proven so lucrative and politically irresistible that 44 states have since started selling tickets to the lottery. In 2013, state-run lotteries brought in $62 billion, which amounts to $257 in sales to every adult in the nation. Six stubborn holdouts remain. Alaska and Hawaii are isolated enough that they do not feel pressured by sales from their neighbors. Nevada and Mississippi have gambling lobbies that don't want a stat
Apr 20, 2015, 9:15 pm - Lottery News

Connecticut Lottery makes its pitch for kenoNews Story
Proponents told members of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee on Wednesday that bringing keno to Connecticut is essential to keeping the state's lottery competitive with other states', while opponents decried the game as a short-sighted and ill-advised way to generate revenue. The bill would allow the Connecticut Lottery Corp. to offer keno throughout the state and is projected to generate $5 million in its first year after startup expenses. After that, proponents say keno will genera
Apr 16, 2015, 7:37 am - Lottery News