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Lottery industry facing new threat in 'skill' gamesNews Story
State lotteries are grappling with the rapid spread of unregulated skill gaming machines, which are found in convenience stores, bars, restaurants and taverns across the country. While these machines have existed for some time, their manufacturers and operators have become increasingly aggressive in their roll out strategy, placing these machines in the front of stores and even replacing lottery self-service terminals with them. Individual lotteries predict these machines could reduce their r
Feb 19, 2020, 9:34 am - Lottery News

Pa. Lottery blames growth of skill games, lack of big jackpots for drop in profitsNews Story
The growing proliferation of so-called skill games at Pennsylvania Lottery retailers are having an impact on the lottery's ability to generate revenue to pay for programs for senior citizens, a lottery official told state lawmakers on Tuesday. Lottery executive director Drew Svitko told lawmakers skill games could lead to a $200 million decline in scratch-off ticket sales this year. That is a bigger loss than the $115 million hit last year. Svitko attributed the higher projection to the ri
Feb 18, 2020, 7:06 pm - Lottery News

Despite predictions, state lottery ticket sales have not been hurt by casinosNews Story
For years, Rajesh Keshar heard the concerns of his fellow owners of corner stores in Everett, Massachusetts, about what the Encore Boston Harbor casino might do to their lottery sales. They worried that some customers would shift their spending from scratch tickets and numbers games to slot machines and gaming tables. Everybody was talking bad about it, said Keshar, who runs Elm Street Market, about 2.5 miles from the massive casino, which opened in June. I was thinking positive. Because I k
Feb 3, 2020, 9:37 am - Lottery News

Alabama lawmaker tries again with new lottery proposalNews Story
Includes video report An Alabama lawmaker says he plans to propose an amendment to the state's constitution to put an education lottery on the ballot for citizens to vote on in November. The proposal by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Dothan, gives half of the proceeds to Alabama's First Class Pre-K program. The other half would fund some college need-based scholarships. Clouse said Alabama could model it off of Tennessee's scholarship program. I think the general sentiment in the House, and I th
Jan 28, 2020, 8:13 am - Lottery News

Will R.I. Lottery win or lose in $1 billion IGT contract battle?News Story
Is it a wise move that would keep more than 1,000 high-paying jobs in Rhode Island or just the latest example of a you gotta know a guy back-room deal? Is the lottery giant IGT as Rhode Island as Del's lemonade or as British as Big Ben? In short, is the proposed no-bid, $1-billion, 20-year extension of IGT's current 20-year gambling technology contract a solid win for the Rhode Island economy or an ill-advised sweetheart deal ? As state lawmakers prepare to review the proposal this fall
Aug 13, 2019, 8:34 am - Lottery News

2nd lottery bill filed in the Alabama SenateNews Story
The push for an Alabama lottery is now a competition. Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Range, filed a lottery bill this week that would establish a state lottery and limit it to paper-based games a move that has drawn opposition in the past from senators who say it could give a major gambling entity in Alabama a unique advantage over others. It's a simple lottery, Albritton said on Wednesday afternoon. It gives people the right to vote as to whether to have a lottery or not. Straight paper lottery.
Apr 4, 2019, 10:45 am - Lottery News

Illinois Lottery glitch causes trouble for retailers, including overpayment to winnersNews Story
The Illinois Lottery's transition to a new central gaming system has caused trouble for some retailers, including overpayments to winners. The ticket validation issue was discovered Feb. 20 and resolved the same day, said Illinois Lottery spokesman Jason Schaumburg, who didn't know how much extra money was awarded. Stores that paid out incorrect winnings can be reimbursed if they submit a written account of the error to the central lottery office in Springfield, said Bill Fleischli, the ex
Mar 4, 2019, 3:20 pm - Lottery News

Class action over 'mesmerizing' video lottery terminals in Canada moves forwardNews Story
An intriguing court case that alleges Crown-owned video lottery terminals are inherently deceptive and violate the Criminal Code has reached a critical milestone in Newfoundland and Labrador. And the outcome of the case could have implications for VLT gaming across Canada. The Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal has cleared the way for a class-action lawsuit to go ahead, rejecting arguments for dismissal from the Atlantic Lottery Corp., which operates in all four Atlantic Provinces.
Dec 17, 2018, 9:42 am - Lottery News

New Mexico Lottery creating game tied to sportsNews Story
The board that oversees the New Mexico Lottery voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward with creation of a game tied to the outcome of sporting events. David Barden, the lottery CEO, said he expects the game to go on sale in four to six months. Details of the game are being worked out, but it will involve a parlay-like wager. A player will pick possible outcomes of at least three sporting events and will have to choose all correctly to win. It's not your grandmother's lottery game, Ba
Oct 31, 2018, 10:57 am - Lottery News

Pennsylvania casinos file suit against state lottery over Internet-based gamesNews Story
Seven commercial casino operators in Pennsylvania have filed suit in Commonwealth Court against the Pennsylvania Lottery over its new breed of casino-style online games. The casino operators are asking the court to stop the Lottery from offering the games, introduced in May, arguing they cut too close to the online games that the casinos say state gambling law reserves exclusively for them. The suit alleges several of the Lottery's games improperly imitate the look, sound and feel of slot
Aug 22, 2018, 3:14 pm - Lottery News