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Michigan lottery workers paid $300,000 in bonusesNews Story
Performance pay is rare in government jobs. But the Michigan Lottery Bureau has paid 75 employees more than $300,000 in incentive pay in the past year. And, according to the state's Civil Service Commission, the group is alone among about 50,000 state employees in being eligible for performance bonuses. The program was initially set up for about 75 sales representatives who met quarterly goals for instant tickets and certain club games. It was expanded this year to include 16 more lottery
Jun 24, 2013, 8:44 am - Lottery News

Oklahoma lottery making strides to increase prizesNews Story
Oklahoma lottery officials voted Tuesday to reduce the amount of money paid to nearly 2,000 retailers that sell lottery tickets to increase prizes in almost a last resort to boost sales. The Lottery Commission has reduced its operating costs to less than 2.5 percent of its $192 million in revenue by reducing office space and cutting the number of staff from 40 to 26, said Rollo Redburn, the agency's executive director. Operating expenses were cut from $9.7 million in 2008 to $4.8 million t
Mar 20, 2013, 9:23 am - Lottery News

Ex-Georgia Lottery president got big bonusesNews Story
A state law designed to curb bonuses to Georgia Lottery executives didn't stop the organization from handing out huge incentive payouts and raises to top staffers. The lottery funds the HOPE scholarship and pre-kindergarten classes, but ticket sales have struggled to keep up with growth in the programs. When lawmakers approved legislation in 2011 to prevent the programs from going broke, part of the deal was a severe curtailing of lottery staff bonuses. But more than $260,000 worth of ince
Jan 27, 2013, 5:29 pm - Lottery News

Georgia Lottery hires new presidentNews Story
Despite controversy over the governor's role in the choice, the Georgia Lottery board handed state budget director Debbie Dlugolenski Alford a new job Thursday as the lottery's new president and CEO. Board members took the unanimous vote on Alford's appointment, despite criticism they scuttled their own search because Gov. Nathan Deal wanted Alford to get the job. Though Alford has held several high-profile jobs in state government, she is the state's first lottery director without prior expe
Oct 26, 2012, 7:37 am - Lottery News

Georgia Lottery board member resigns citing pressure to hire new directorNews Story
A member of the Georgia Lottery Board resigned last week because she thought the panel was feeling pressured to hire the governor's budget director to run one of the country's most successful lotteries. Frances Rogers, who has served on the board since late 2010, said she hung up the phone in the middle of a conference call to discuss a new lottery president last week and immediately resigned. There were things that were said and I decided I was not going to be able to be part of the proc
Oct 12, 2012, 7:11 am - Lottery News

Alford named sole finalist to lead Georgia LotteryNews Story
The sole finalist to lead the Georgia Lottery is the state's top budget official, Debbie Dlugolenski Alford, officials said Tuesday. The acknowledgement confirmed a report last week by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Alford was a leading candidate to replace Margaret DeFrancisco as president of one of the country's most successful lotteries. Alford currently leads the governor's Office of Planning and Budget and serves on the Lottery Board. She would be the state's first lottery dire
Oct 10, 2012, 7:45 am - Lottery News

Georgia Lottery president/CEO announces retirementNews Story
Georgia Lottery Corp. President and CEO Margaret R. DeFrancisco announced publicly today that she will be retiring from her full-time position as head of the Lottery. The Georgia Lottery's board of directors will conduct a search for DeFrancisco's replacement. She plans to stay through the transition, and a departure date is not imminent or immediate. The Georgia Lottery has seen strong growth and funded the educations of hundreds of thousands of Georgians during Margaret DeFrancisco's te
Aug 15, 2012, 5:07 pm - Lottery News

Vermont Lottery appoints new Executive DirectorNews Story
Greg Smith, an executive with The Vermont Country Store, has been tapped to head the Vermont Lottery, replacing retiring Lottery Executive Director Alan Yandow. Smith will take over the operation on June 7. The Lottery Commission thanks Alan for his 14 years of exceptional service to Vermont, said Martha O'Connor, chair of the Vermont Lottery Commission. After the nationwide search, we are pleased to be moving forward with the appointment of Greg Smith. I am honored to have been chos
Jun 1, 2012, 12:37 pm - Lottery News

Some Baptists want Texas Lottery Commission shut downNews Story
As lawmakers look at whether the Texas Lottery Commission is operating effectively, influential Baptists are suggesting the lottery shouldn't merely be tweaked. They want it abolished. Ask the pertinent questions. Has the lottery fulfilled its promise? My answer would be 'no,' said Suzii Paynter, director of the Baptist Christian Life Commission, in an interview Friday. Baptists contend the lottery was sold to Texans 20 years ago as a voluntary, non-regressive way to raise money, but inst
Apr 17, 2012, 7:17 am - Lottery News

Vermont Lottery director to step downNews Story
The Vermont Lottery Commission today announced that long-time Executive Director Alan Yandow would not seek another biannual appointment to the position. After nearly fourteen years as Executive Director, and working with three governors, Yandow will leave state service. Yandow said, I step down from one of the most interesting positions in state government. It has been an honor and pleasure to serve the State of Vermont and lottery players over the last fourteen years . Governor Peter
Feb 24, 2012, 2:12 pm - Lottery News