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Some on welfare bet big on Maine lottery in pursuit of life-changing winNews Story
Murky state rules mean those who do collect larger prizes may not even lose their public benefits Maine residents on public assistance have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on lottery tickets, according to an estimate based on the $22.4 million in large prizes they collected between 2010 and 2014, including eight jackpots worth at least $500,000 each. Yet state rules are so murky that the winnings do not necessarily disqualify anyone from continuing to receive food stamps and other be
Dec 16, 2015, 9:18 am - Lottery News

Deal struck, Illinois Lottery winners to be paidNews Story
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Democrats on Wednesday struck a rare agreement, compromising on a plan to release more than $3.1 billion to pay Illinois Lottery winners and help cities and towns operate 911 centers, plow roads and train firefighters. Normally, municipalities receive a share of gas tax, 911 surcharge and gambling revenue to help prop up day-to-day operations, but those dollars have been on hold due to the state budget impasse. Legislation passed 107-1 by the House would
Dec 3, 2015, 10:42 am - Lottery News

Texas Gov. tells Lottery to stop exploring gambling expansionNews Story
But he doesn't have the legal authority to force the Lottery to stop Gov. Greg Abbott has told Texas lottery officials to stop efforts to explore the expansion of sports betting lottery games and other types of gambling that are prohibited under state law. The Dallas Morning News reports Abbott told Texas Lottery Commission Chairman J. Winston Krause in a letter Monday that he does not want the agency to continue its exploration of the games that other states have launched. Abbott wrote th
Nov 12, 2015, 11:56 am - Lottery News

Illinois Lottery sales lowest in two yearsNews Story
Our winners will be paid, Illinois Lottery Superintendent B.R. Lane said. After nearly three months of withholding payments due to the state budget impasse, the Illinois Lottery said it's not if winners will get their cash -- but when. The Illinois Lottery saw a significant drop in ticket sales from September to October, which coincides with the state budget stalemate. Because they're not sure when they'll be paid, our players are buying fewer tickets. It's really that simple, Lane said.
Nov 12, 2015, 11:33 am - Lottery News

Democrats hold up lottery payouts after Illinois Gov. compromisesNews Story
After Illinois' Republican Governor Bruce Rauner froze the funds that pay out Illinois Lottery earnings last month, the governor made a compromise this week to get the funds flowing again. Now, however, the governor's office says it's the Democrats who are holding up the payouts. House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-25th) filed a motion to reconsider on House Bill 4305 after the House passed it yesterday with a 115-1 vote. The bill would free up tax money that has already been collec
Nov 11, 2015, 6:45 pm - Lottery News

Winners suing Illinois Lottery try to rope in other statesNews Story
Multi-state lottery groups pushed back on Monday against a move by lottery winners in Illinois to drag dozens of states into a lawsuit against the Illinois Lottery's suspension of payments. Illinois has halted payments on winnings of $600 or more due to the state's ongoing budget impasse. A class action originally filed in September in U.S. District Court in Chicago seeking to force the Illinois Lottery to pay winners was amended last week to add as defendants lottery agencies in 43 states
Nov 9, 2015, 10:14 pm - Lottery News

Illinois Lottery is not paying, but people are still playingNews Story
Joe Joost and several other city truck drivers thought they won $1 million in September. However, they have yet to see a dime because the state comptroller has said they can't make payouts over $25,000 because the state hasn't approved a budget. In October, that payout limit was further reduced to just $600. One state lawmaker says the Illinois Lottery is committing fraud, but Joost simply can't understand why people continue to play. They announce they're not paying but yet they're st
Nov 3, 2015, 9:13 am - Lottery News

Illinois border states report increased lottery salesNews Story
With Illinois delaying payouts of more than $600 because of its budget mess, neighboring states are salivating at the chance to boost their own lottery sales. Businesses near borders, particularly in Indiana, Kentucky and Iowa, say they've already noticed a difference. The Lottery problems stemming from Illinois' budget impasse have led to a lawsuit and come amid questions about Illinois revenues and a shake-up in lottery management. Many gas stations, smoke shops and convenience stores in
Oct 27, 2015, 9:54 am - Lottery News

'Daily Show' knocks Illinois for shortchanging lottery winners during budget battleNews Story
Includes video report The ongoing budget impasse in Illinois was under the heat of the national spotlight this week when the 'Daily Show' took a jab at the state for its treatment of lottery winners during the stalemate. One of the show's correspondents Jordan Klepper headed to central Illinois to speak with Danny Chasteen and Susan Rick, who have won $250,000 in the Illinois lottery, but have yet to receive their winnings. The lottery is not paying individuals who have won more than $600
Oct 25, 2015, 9:36 am - Lottery News

Wyoming Lottery shelves keno planNews Story
Lawmakers not happy with Lottery pushing the limits of law Some Wyoming lawmakers say they're bothered the Wyoming Lottery Corp. considered introducing keno without their approval and they expect to introduce legislation limiting the lottery. In keno, players try to match numbers with random numbers displayed on video screens at a restaurant or a bar. The idea has been withdrawn after meetings with the lottery board and state lawmakers, said lottery CEO Jon Clontz. The lottery has other
Oct 20, 2015, 9:09 am - Lottery News