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California lottery struggles with tepid salesNews Story
Though California and its schools are begging for cash, one of the state's supposed gold mines produces roughly half of what it should for education, analysts say.But officials at the languishing state-run lottery say there's hope the operation will be shipping nearly another $1 billion annually to schools.It first, however, must succeed in throwing off woes such as legal restrictions on games, which some say are outdated in this age of widespread Indian gambling, and then generate an excitement
Jul 15, 2004, 9:30 am - Lottery News

Lottery win caps a life of serviceNews Story
Much of her life, Geraldine Williams was an invisible servant to others, wiping clean their dirt, scrubbing their floors, emptying their trash.She cleaned the houses of those who can afford to have others take care of their domestic chores. For 15 years, she cleaned three office and academic buildings on the campus of University of Massachusetts at Lowell.Co-workers said Williams left surfaces spotless. Friends and neighbors say she brought the same energy to helping others, from senior citizens
Jul 12, 2004, 9:38 am - Lottery News

Jackpot winner tries to lay lowNews Story
A day after bagging a $294 million lottery jackpot, Geraldine Williams battled to get her bearings yesterday as she went from housemaid to multimillionaire retiree overnight. Williams' ex-hubby said the 67-year-old grandmother and her children are worn out by the whirlwind of public interest whipped up in the hours after Williams stepped forward to claim her prize. They're trying to cope with something that's unimaginable, said James Williams, who split from his now-millionaire ex-wife in 1979
Jul 12, 2004, 9:36 am - Lottery News

Ex-husband of big Mass. lottery winner is happy for his familyNews Story
They were married for 20 years -- but now they've been divorced for 25.So, James Williams isn't expecting his ex-wife to offer him a share of her lottery winnings.Geraldine Williams yesterday claimed her Mega Millions jackpot in Massachusetts -- in a lump-sum of about $118 million million dollars, after taxes.Her ex-husband is taking the high road -- saying he's glad his children and grandchildren will be taken care of.The retired police officer says he hasn't spoke with his ex-wife about her wi
Jul 12, 2004, 9:34 am - Lottery News

Mega Millions lottery jackpot jumps to $20 millionNews Story
The jackpot in the multi-state Mega Millions lottery grew to $20 million Saturday.None of the tickets sold for Friday's $13 million drawing matched all five lotto numbers and the Mega Ball. The next drawing will be Tuesday.There were two second-prize winners from Friday night's drawing: 1 from Georgia and 1 from Massachusetts. Each winner matched all five lotto numbers but not the Mega Ball number to win $175,000.Also, 23 players matched four of the five lotto numbers, plus the Mega Ball numbe
Jul 10, 2004, 3:40 am - Lottery News

Mass. Cleaning Woman Claims $294M JackpotNews Story
Meet Geraldine Williams, a retired custodian and cleaning woman who will no longer have to mop her own floors or dust her own furniture.Williams stepped forward Friday to claim the $294 million Mega Millions jackpot, the second-largest jackpot ever to go to a single person in North America.Williams, who was introduced at a news conference at state lottery headquarters, said she'll take the payout in a lump sum of $117.6 million after taxes.She said she was still stunned by her luck, a week after
Jul 9, 2004, 1:17 pm - Lottery News

$294M lottery winner is 68-year-old cleaning womanNews Story
Updated July 09, 2004, 11:21pmThe winner of the $294 million Mega Millions jackpot, the largest in Massachusetts lottery history, is a 68-year-old cleaning woman.Geraldine Williams cleaned homes after retiring as a custodian at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, The Sun of Lowell reported Friday. She was a wonderful person, Mary Recko, a worker in the physical plant department at UMass-Lowell, told The Associated Press on Friday. Everybody liked her. All of us here are so happy that it wa
Jul 9, 2004, 11:08 am - Lottery News

Mass. Lottery to announce winner of $294 million Mega Millions jackpotNews Story
In a press conference to be held Friday, July 9, 2004 at 11:30 AM, the Massachusetts Lottery will present the winner of the record $294 million Mega Millions jackpot with a ceremonial check.Massachusetts State Treasurer and Lottery Chairman Timothy P. Cahill will introduce the winner and present the check. The winner's identity will be revealed at the press conference.The $294 million jackpot from the Friday, July 2, 2004 Mega Millions drawing, was the result of 15 consecutive jackpot rollovers
Jul 8, 2004, 3:21 pm - Lottery News

$294 Million: Final Mega Millions Jackpot CalculatedNews Story
Search in on for the winner in Lowell, MassachusettsThe winner of the largest lottery prize in Massachusetts state history remained anonymous yesterday as rumors swirled about the person's identity and state officials boosted the staggering jackpot by another $4 million. The unidentified winner, who has a year to claim the $294 Mega Millions pot, can choose between a 26-year annuity - with an $11 million annual payment before taxes - and a lump sum payment totaling $117 million after taxes. Of
Jul 7, 2004, 9:33 am - Lottery News

Scientific Games Awarded Contract By Mass. LotteryNews Story
Estimated Value of Contract is $20-$25 MillionScientific Games Corporation announced that the Massachusetts Lottery has awarded it the contract to be its primary supplier of instant tickets and related marketing services.The current Scientific Games contract is due to expire in August, 2004. The new contract is for an initial term of two years with three one- year options to renew. The value of the contract is estimated between $20-25 million over the initial two-year term.Massachusetts sells $3
Jul 7, 2004, 9:28 am - Lottery News