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Arkansas lottery retailers to be policed for fraud, officials sayNews Story
The legislation laying the groundwork for Arkansas' lottery does not require it, but officials say they expect the lottery system to include a security division that will be on the lookout for fraud by retailers. The problem of fraud by lottery retailers gained new attention in the U.S. in the wake of a 2007 scandal in Canada, where investigators found that retailers and their employees were winning a disproportionately large number of prizes. Between 1999 and 2006, at least 78 retail owne
May 19, 2009, 8:32 am - Lottery News

Ark. Lottery Commission Web site launches MondayNews Story
The new Arkansas Lottery Commission has been in operation for a little more than a week, and on Monday its own Web site will go live. The URL for the new, not-yet live site is: www.LotteryCommission.Arkansas.gov. At publication time, entering that address into one's Web browser displays an under construction message. In addition, the commission will soon decide the name for the official state lottery Web site for the Arkansas lottery games. The commission is holding a two-day working
May 15, 2009, 4:50 pm - Lottery News

S.C. lottery chief says Arkansas can clear $125M in first yearNews Story
New commission urged to focus on hiring director South Carolina lottery director Ernie Passailaigue estimated that the Arkansas lottery could clear roughly $125 million in net profit its first year. Passailaigue spoke to Arkansas Lottery Commission members Thursday afternoon at a working retreat held at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute within Petit Jean State Park. Joining him to pass along expertise in helping implement successful state lotteries was Margaret DeFrancisco, director of th
May 15, 2009, 8:24 am - Lottery News

Arkansas lottery commission fully staffedNews Story
Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe on Monday appointed the final three members of the Arkansas Lottery Commission, naming George J. Hammons of Pine Bluff, Dianne Lamberth of Batesville and Ben Pickard of Beebe to the board that will oversee lottery operations. Voters in the November general election approved a constitutional amendment authorizing state-run lottery games to raise money for college scholarships. The amendment left the lottery details to the Legislature. The Arkansas Scholarship Lotter
Apr 14, 2009, 8:57 am - Lottery News

Arkansas Lottery Commision takes shapeNews Story
Confusion over salary cap for director position Arkansas House Speaker Robbie Wills appointed three members to the newly created Arkansas Lottery Commission, and his lottery cleanup bill to clarify the salary of the commission's director cleared a committee Wednesday. Wills appointed Joe White of Conway, Mike Malone of Fayetteville, and Susan Ward-Jones of Marion. I established a criteria [for appointees] of honesty, integrity, and state and community responsibility, Wills said. These
Apr 4, 2009, 10:39 am - Lottery News

Arkansas lottery tickets may be available by this fallNews Story
The Arkansas lottery is getting closer to becoming a reality. Soon, people in Arkansas will be able to go into convenience stores and gas stations and buy lottery tickets in their own state rather than heading to one of the boardering states to get their chance at the big money. March 25, Gov. Mike Beebe signed both the identical Senate and House bills passing the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Act. Arkansas will soon join boardering states Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas
Apr 4, 2009, 10:06 am - Lottery News

Oklahoma Lottery bracing for loss of Arkansas dollarsNews Story
Legislature refuses to consider bill increasing prizes Oklahoma will be a big loser when Arkansas begins its lottery games, an official said. The Oklahoma lottery is expected to lose as much as $12 million in sales during the first year Arkansas has its games, said Jim Scroggins, who is the executive director of Oklahoma's lottery. We estimate, based on prizes claimed by Arkansas residents, that we will, Scroggins said. That would result in a loss of $3.5 million to $4 million for e
Mar 30, 2009, 8:19 am - Lottery News

Arkansas Lottery bill signed into lawNews Story
May be up running this year Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe signed identical House and Senate bills into law today to create an Arkansas Lottery to fund scholarships to Arkansas college students. You could look at this as Arkansas becoming the 43 state to have a lottery, but there's another way to look at it. We're the first state where all of the lottery proceeds will go to college scholarships, Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, who spearheaded the drive for the constitutional amendment voters passed last
Mar 26, 2009, 6:41 pm - Lottery News

Arkansas Senate, House pass lottery bills, send to governorNews Story
The Arkansas House and Senate on Monday passed each other's identical versions of legislation to set up Arkansas' lottery to fund college scholarships. The House voted 94-0 to approve Senate Bill 26 by Sen. Terry Smith, D-Hot Springs, and the Senate voted 34-0 to approve House Bill 1002 by House Speaker Robbie Wills, D-Conway. The bills now go to the governor, who is expected to sign them this week. The legislation calls for creation of a nine-member lottery commission, with three members
Mar 24, 2009, 8:07 am - Lottery News

Arkansas lottery approaches final votes this weekNews Story
After months of negotiations, Arkansas lawmakers plan to give their final seal of approval this week to the state's new lottery and scholarship program. Voters approved the games last November, and legislative leaders filed shell bills that same month to put in place the lottery, which will fund college scholarships for Arkansas students. The House and Senate are expected to cast final votes Monday on the lottery measure, which calls for scholarships for any student with a 2.5 grade point
Mar 23, 2009, 1:30 pm - Lottery News