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Former tribal lobbyist named as new California Lottery directorNews Story
California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Alva Vernon Johnson to take over the the state's lottery Monday, after former director Hugo Lopez stepped down Friday amid investigations. Johnson, a former tribal lobbyist, takes over a department that has been been under scrutiny from the Department of Justice and the State Controller's Office since August, when anonymous employees sent a letter to former Gov. Jerry Brown alleging misconduct among senior executives at sales conferences. Johnson lobb
Jun 11, 2019, 8:40 am - Lottery News

California Lottery director resigns amid investigationsNews Story
California State Lottery Director Hugo Lopez is stepping down immediately, he announced in an email to lottery staff on Friday. Lopez has led the department since 2015. It's been under scrutiny from the Department of Justice and the State Controller's Office since August, when anonymous employees sent a letter to former Gov. Jerry Brown's office alleging misconduct among senior executives at sales conferences. Lopez in his message said he was proud of the department's performance, particul
Jun 10, 2019, 8:18 am - Lottery News

One lottery ticket sold in California wins $530 million Mega Millions jackpotNews Story
Somebody in California just added half a billion dollars to their bank account. A single ticket, sold in San Diego, claimed Friday night's $530 million Mega Millions jackpot. That comes with a cash option payout of $345.2 million, according to contest officials. The winning numbers were 17, 19, 27, 40, and 68, with Mega Ball number 2. The Megaplier was 3. The winning ticket was sold at Sorrento Deli Mart, located a short walk from the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course. Even if you didn
Jun 8, 2019, 8:19 am - Lottery News

$530 MILLION: Mega Millions lottery jackpot increases on rolloverNews Story
By Todd Northrop Lottery players across the United States will be lining up at lottery retailers for their chance to win Friday's massive $530 million Mega Millions jackpot, after nobody won Tuesday's $475 million grand prize. The cash value stands at a staggering $343.9 million. Friday's $530 million Mega Millions jackpot is the 7th-largest in the game's history, and the 15th-largest United States lottery jackpot of all time (see full list below). It's also the biggest since a $1.537 b
Jun 5, 2019, 6:58 am - Lottery News

$475 MILLION: Mega Millions lottery jackpot swellsNews Story
16th-largest jackpot in US lottery history By Todd Northrop After 23 drawings without a jackpot winner, the multi-state Mega Millions lottery game now boasts a swelling jackpot of nearly a half-billion dollars that could instantly put someone among the wealthiest people on the planet. When nobody won Friday night's grand prize, the Mega Millions jackpot grew to an estimated $475 million the biggest since a $1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot from the October 23, 2018 drawing crowned a
Jun 1, 2019, 11:07 am - Lottery News

Wisconsin man, 24, claims $768.4M Powerball lottery jackpotNews Story
Includes video report The winner of a Powerball lottery ticket worth $768.4 million has been revealed. He is 24-year-old Manuel Franco of West Allis. Franco spoke at length with reporters on Tuesday afternoon, April 23 describing in detail the day he had purchased the tickets that led to this big win. Franco said he left work around 2 p.m. on March 27 and went to the Speedway in New Berlin a few minutes later. He bought $10 worth of individual Powerball tickets. I pretty much felt luck
Apr 23, 2019, 3:04 pm - Lottery News

Audit of California Lottery finds over $305,000 in improper or dubious spendingNews Story
California Lottery officials tallied more than $305,000 in improper or questionable spending over the last four years that included travel, food, gifts to employees and entertainment expenses, a state audit concluded Tuesday. Among the improper expenses, the lottery agency spent $21,666 to give staff logo-branded swag such as T-shirts, backpacks, lip balm and iPad cases, labeling the purchases learning aids and training tools, according to the audit by state Controller Betty Yee. The finan
Apr 11, 2019, 9:32 am - Lottery News

$768.4 million Powerball lottery jackpot won by single ticket sold in WisconsinNews Story
By Todd Northrop One Powerball lottery ticket sold in Wisconsin won the third-largest lottery prize in U.S. history on Wednesday night. The lucky numbers for the $768.4 million jackpot were 16, 20, 37, 44, and 62, with Powerball number 12. The Power Play multiplier was 3. The top prize surged from an estimated $750 million due to strong ticket sales. The lump sum payout is $476.9 million. The winning ticket was sold in New Berlin, a city of about 40,000 people roughly 14 miles (22.5
Mar 28, 2019, 8:03 am - Lottery News

California Lottery official dismissed amid investigationsNews Story
A senior California Lottery executive has been dismissed from his position six months after anonymous state employees sent a letter to the Governor's Office complaining about rowdy behavior among a group of the lottery's top brass. Deputy Director of Sales James David Cole's dismissal comes amid ongoing investigations into hiring practices and alleged misconduct by senior lottery executives during a 2016 sales conference. Cole was notified Feb. 1 that his employment would be officially ter
Mar 26, 2019, 9:23 am - Lottery News

$750 MILLION: Powerball lottery jackpot surges to 4th-largest everNews Story
Only the 4th time in history a lottery jackpot has grown to $700 million+ By Todd Northrop This week lottery players across the United States will be pulling out all the stops to try and win Powerball, featuring one of the largest lottery jackpots in history, worth an estimated $750 million. If you feel like it's been a long time since Powerball last had a jackpot winner you'd be right. The 25 consecutive drawings since the last winner on Dec. 26 is the longest stretch without a jackpot
Mar 24, 2019, 9:27 am - Lottery News