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Two Alaska state lottery plans are about to be debated; here's how they'd workNews Story
Alaska is one of five U.S. states without a lottery. This year, Gov. Mike Dunleavy and House Majority Leader Steve Thompson, a Republican from Fairbanks, have each offered plans to change that. With Alaska state government projecting a $1.5 billion budget deficit, both men have said a lottery could be one step toward a broader fix. But both have proposed very different approaches. Thompson is suggesting a draw-style lottery that would raise between $8 million and $10 million a year for the
Feb 17, 2020, 8:50 am - Lottery News

Alaska governor proposes lottery amid budget woesNews Story
Alaska, long-reliant on oil and in search of options amid a persistent budget deficit, may turn to the lottery for help. Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy introduced legislation Wednesday proposing a lottery. His administration said it could serve as part of his goal of providing greater fiscal stability. It comes on the heels of deep budget cuts Dunleavy proposed last year that were met with public outcry. That anger helped fuel a recall effort against him now tied up in the courts. His budge
Feb 14, 2020, 12:34 pm - Lottery News

Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack wins $150,000 lottery prizeNews Story
Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack is $150,000 richer after claiming a Powerball lottery prize Monday. Vilsack won the money playing Powerball in January, when the jackpot climbed to about $347 million before the drawing Jan. 22. I forgot about the ticket, Vilsack said in a news release from the Iowa Lottery. Then I woke up 10 days later, on a Saturday morning, and I said, 'Oh, geez, I wonder how I did?' Vilsack served as governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007. He served as the U.S. secretary o
Feb 11, 2020, 7:43 am - Lottery News

California Lottery under fire for giving away $212,500 in Scratchers on 'Ellen'News Story
Comedian Ellen DeGeneres drew wild cheers from the studio audience of her television talk show in December when she announced each person in attendance would receive a $500 bundle of Scratchers tickets from the California State Lottery. Lottery officials saw it as a publicity boon, but a whistleblower complaint filed by some lottery employees argues the agency's giveaway of the tickets which have a combined face value of $212,500 should be investigated as a misuse of funds, according to docum
Feb 6, 2020, 5:32 pm - Lottery News

Lottery legislation: Inside Alabama's lottery debateNews Story
A drive across the Mississippi state line is becoming a common trip for Alabamians who want to play the state's new lottery. At least twice a week, Aretha told us as she bought a ticket. At least once a week, Joseph said from the convenient store right across the state line. I would rather spend it where we live so we can pay for everything over there, said Brenda Gerganus as she bought a handful of tickets . Gurganus said she'd rather her lottery money go to Alabama's schools.
Feb 3, 2020, 10:21 am - Lottery News

Nebraska weighing anonymity for lottery winnersNews Story
Winners of the Nebraska Lottery both big and small must step into the limelight to accept their prize under state law, a public reveal that can turn a stroke of luck into a potential curse. Notice of a winner can bring family, friends and newfound fourth cousins out of the woodwork to ask for a slice of the prize money, said Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth. Often, the publicity and unwanted fame can become too much for the jackpot winners, Brandt said, no matter how much money comes into their
Jan 28, 2020, 8:57 am - Lottery News

Alabama lawmaker tries again with new lottery proposalNews Story
Includes video report An Alabama lawmaker says he plans to propose an amendment to the state's constitution to put an education lottery on the ballot for citizens to vote on in November. The proposal by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Dothan, gives half of the proceeds to Alabama's First Class Pre-K program. The other half would fund some college need-based scholarships. Clouse said Alabama could model it off of Tennessee's scholarship program. I think the general sentiment in the House, and I th
Jan 28, 2020, 8:13 am - Lottery News

NJ Lottery winners can now stay anonymousNews Story
Lottery tasked with developing the specifics of how it will work Lottery winners in New Jersey will have the option to remain anonymous under a new law Gov. Phil Murphy signed Tuesday. The law directs the state lottery commission to set regulations permitting lottery players to keep their identities secret. It takes effect immediately, but it's unclear how long it would take for the regulations to be written. New Jersey is joining a growing list of states to permit lottery winners to
Jan 22, 2020, 6:30 pm - Lottery News

NJ lottery winners might soon be able to stay anonymousNews Story
Big jackpot winners and lucky scratch-off ticket holders in New Jersey are one step closer to keeping their winnings a secret after the state Assembly passed a bill that would shield the identity of lottery winners in the state. The measure (S2267), sponsored by state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and Sen. Kristin Corrado, R-Passaic, would directly amend the state's lottery regulations. Currently, the state requires the ticket holder to publicly come forward to claim thei
Jan 14, 2020, 9:09 am - Lottery News

California lottery reps are afraid of being attacked — so they asked for unmarked carsNews Story
A San Francisco carjacking that targeted a California public employee and ended in a police shooting caught Paulina Vasquez's attention two years ago. It was what Vasquez, an SEIU Local 1000 steward for California Lottery sales representatives, feared would happen after the department decided to put the State of California seal on their vans. The department added the stickers to the plain white vans six years ago despite protests from workers who were concerned about their safety. Now the
Dec 20, 2019, 3:44 pm - Lottery News