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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to schools.It first, however, must succeed in throwing off woes such as legal restrictions on games, which some say are outdated in this age of widespread Indian gambling, and then generate an excitement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

El Paso man claims $145 million Texas Lotto prizeNews Story
A publicity-shy El Paso man today turned in the winning ticket for last month's $145 million Texas Lotto jackpot on behalf of a partnership.The Texas Lottery Commission said that Alfredo Ornelas Barragan accepted an after-tax cash payment of $61.9 million on behalf of VOM Enterprises Ltd. and IBO Management Co.Ornelas arrived with his attorney, Ernesto Pineda, around 10 a.m. and spent most of the day verifying the ticket. Neither man would speak with reporters. He's very quiet but eager to have
Jul 7, 2004, 5:53 pm - Lottery News

Minnesota top pull-tab stateNews Story
Imagine that every fruitless pull of a casino's slot machine produced a colorful bit of trash and you get an idea of how the garbage bins at American Legion Post 1776 overflow on a good night.Last year $6.4 million worth of pull-tabs were sold from this tidy metal-clad hall -- tops in a state that is tops in the nation -- allowing Post 1776 to pass a profit of $246,000 on to hundreds of schools, sports programs and charities.Though they're sold without the glamor of Las Vegas or the marketing bu
Jul 5, 2004, 8:32 am - Lottery News

California Lottery wants changesNews Story
The California Lottery, for the first time since it was created nearly 20 years ago, wants to shrink the percentage of its budget dedicated to funding public education in order to boost prize payouts in scratch-off games -- a move officials say ultimately would increase sales and, in turn, money for schools.If the Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger approve, the portion of lottery sales spent on the state's cash-strapped school districts will drop from 34 percent to 26 percent. But suppor
May 19, 2004, 8:08 am - Lottery News

California Lottery Drops Gambling Themes IdeaNews Story
Citing widespread opposition, California Assemblyman George Plescia on Monday dropped lottery-backed legislation that would have added Nevada-style gambling themes to the state-run games.Though he quietly deleted the amendment, the San Diego Republican said he's pushing the rest of his controversial measure -- which would boost lottery prizes and slice struggling schools' share of revenue -- in the hope of fostering lotto mania that would then increase education's take.Even with the deletion of
May 18, 2004, 7:07 am - Lottery News

California legislature could expand lotteryNews Story
Despite fears California is becoming the world's gambling capital, the state lottery Friday broadened its proposed overhaul to include Nevada-style games banned by the 1984 lottery initiative.The lottery -- which is finding increased competition with Indian casinos -- amended its already controversial reorganization plan to add games including roulette, dice, baccarat, blackjack, Lucky 7s, draw poker and slot machines.The amendment fueled the controversy surrounding the legislation, which alread
May 8, 2004, 1:54 pm - Lottery News

East San Jose ticket wins $24 million SuperLotto jackpotNews Story
The winning ticket in Saturday's SuperLotto Plus, worth $24 million, was sold at an East San Jose 7-Eleven, California Lottery officials announced Sunday.As of Sunday evening, the holder of the ticket had not come forward, but store owners had been notified. We're very excited for the person who bought the ticket, said Jenny Nguy, whose parents, Hung and Mai Nguy, own the 7-Eleven at 2577 S. King Road. They also own the Tropicana Foods supermarket at King and Story roads.The Nguys, who were awa
Apr 26, 2004, 6:56 am - Lottery News

The Two Titans of the Lottery IndustryNews Story
We often hear that the $40 billion spent on video games worldwide dwarfs the amount spent on the motion picture industry. But another form of mass entertainment dwarfs them both: the lottery business. According to a Morgan Stanley study, sales of lottery tickets around the world will top $160 billion in 2004.You should be thankful for the lottery business this week as you write a check for your tax bill. That's because you'd probably owe a lot more if not for your fellow citizens' crazed desire
Apr 15, 2004, 4:58 am - Lottery News

California Lottery CEO ResignsNews Story
California Lottery chief executive officer and director Anthony Molica has resigned after only seven months, a lottery representative confirmed.Molica joined the California Lottery Sept. 2, 2003, after serving as executive director for the Washington Lottery. His last day is today. He has chosen to resign and join his family back in Washington state, said lottery representative Rosa Escutia.Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will appoint Molica's replacement.Molica's resignation will not impact the lot
Apr 9, 2004, 4:37 am - Lottery News

$28.5 million California lottery ticket unclaimedNews Story
California's public schools appeared to be the big winners Monday night when a $28.5 million lottery ticket went unclaimed after six months.This was the 14th - and largest - unclaimed jackpot since the lottery started in 1985, according to lottery officials. All unclaimed money goes to the state's public schools. We were excited about it, but no one's come in, California Lottery spokeswoman Rosa Escutia said shortly after the deadline.Escutia said lottery officials probably will hold a press co
Mar 9, 2004, 4:38 am - Lottery News