The California Coalition Against Gambling Expansion will file a lawsuit in Sacramento Superior Court within two weeks seeking an injunction to shut down the state's Mega Millions multistate lotto as unconstitutional, it said Thursday.
If successful in the lawsuit, it could cost the California Lottery plenty. Possible lawsuits by the other 11 states in the game, lost startup costs, a dent in the lottery's sales-fostering integrity and other fallout could total tens of millions of dollars.
Adopting a new tactic, anti-gambling coalition officials also said that it now wants Californians, not Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature, to make changes to the 1984 voter-approved Lottery Act that would allow California to participate in games outside state borders.
"I can't believe how flippant they're acting, when they are a public agency. They're not a private corporation," said Fred Jones, the anti-gambling group's attorney. "They're playing with public revenues and saying, 'We may or may not have the authority, but it's an appropriate business risk.'"
"We anticipate filing suit within the next two weeks,"Jones said. "And we anticipate that we will win the injunction."
The governor's office referred calls to the lottery, where officials were not immediately available. For days, the Schwarzenegger administration has deferred queries to acting lottery director Chon Gutierrez.
On Tuesday, Gutierrez testified at an emergency legislative hearing to delay the launch of Mega Millions and afterward said in an interview that some are calling the kickoff "a gamble." But he said he prefers to call it "a matter of managing risk" and that it ultimately could bring schools an additional $170 million annually.
The anti-gambling group expects legal maneuvering from the state, including perhaps trying to move it to federal court because it involves 11 other states. "It's classic David and Goliath," Jones said.
Sen. Dean Florez, a Bakersfield-area Democrat who convened the legislative hearing, said he believes the lottery was trying to "save face" by launching the Mega Millions game despite legal questions.
At the hearing, state Sen. Dave Cox, R-Sacramento, said he backed the lottery's move and thought it to be legal.
In the game, players pay $1 to pick six numbers from 1 to 52 to match those drawn twice weekly. Bets in California are pooled with the existing Mega Millions states of New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia and Washington.
Though the game boasts jackpots of perhaps up to $500 million, the odds of winning Mega Millions is about 1-in-175 million; of winning in California's Super Lotto Plus, 1-in-41 million.
So what are they going to do if someone from California wins the jackpot before they get an injuction? Will they have to give back the money?
I can't believe this nonsense is happening!
As they used to say "Power to the people" let the people vote and makeup their mind themselves.
Even if they would happen to maybe be too Stu--- to know what's good for them as it is usually the case with people.
Huh?
I hope this thing is not going to happen to CA. Why they let the hoping-money in front of their eyes, shaking it, then taking it back !?!! Terrible!!
Who cares? More for the rest of us. Couldn't stand it if Californians win all the time. I always think it's hilarious when the minority rules.
Well the Democrats and Indian Casinos are behind it. Even though the claim to be against gambling they are recieving money from Indian casinos. I just hope the current jackpot gets high then the injuction goes through. They could even have an add showing the winner in some other state of a record jackpot with the caption "This winner thanks the Democrats of the CA Senate for preventing a winner from CA"
Who cares? More for the rest of us. Couldn't stand it if Californians win all the time. I always think it's hilarious when the minority rules.
Yeah, but just think: if you win the jackpot, think of all the money you'll be getting from those Californians!
I see that in Cal the Mega ball only paid one dollar. I know that is parimutuel but say the payout should theoretically be 1.99 and its rounded down to paying a dollar, where does that other 99 cents go? That is horrible that you only get a buck there, but I see you got 8 bucks for hitting three numbers. Just curious where that runoff goes, to the higher tier prizes? Or back in the pool for next time.
I'm sure it's because they had a $250,000 winner. When they have no 2nd prize winner, the lower prizes will be bigger.
I have read the issue, but forgive me, I don't understand the "issue" What's
all the fuss over CALI being able to play the game?????
Hi !!!!!!
And you see, one second price just produced from CA for the first time... Everybody on the board, please ...seat belt!!! j/k
Good luck to you all and me!!!
I have read the issue, but forgive me, I don't understand the "issue" What's
all the fuss over CALI being able to play the game?????
https://www.lotterypost.com/news/114918.htm
I would be disappointed if California can't sell any more Mega Millions tickets. I like to see competition.
The California Coalition Against Gambling Expansion will file a lawsuit in Sacramento Superior Court within two weeks seeking an injunction to shut down the state's Mega Millions multistate lotto as unconstitutional, it said Thursday. If successful in the lawsuit, it could cost the California Lottery plenty. Possible lawsuits by the other 11 states in the game, lost startup costs, a dent in the lottery's sales-fostering integrity and other fallout could total tens of millions of dollars.
I wished the lawsuit will make California stop playing Mega Millions.
The lawsuit was filed yesterday (Wednesday). Let's see how this plays out....
http://www.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2005/07/04/daily19.html?from_rss=1
It won't succeed.
HAPPY SATURDAY...JULY 9TH.........TO ALL MY HAPPY MM GAMBLERS...
..............I Chose this fst picture because after working 40hrs a week, I should be doing that. But it's a beautiful Saturday afternoon here in Montgomery County Maryland, and I just had to get out and enjoy it. Thanks Todd for your Response to my ???.... I agree that it's nonsense, and I too hope it doesn't succeed....We can't leave "CALI" out of the loop...the more $$$$ the better. Considering all the HAPPY GAMBLERS IN CALI, that's a hellua lot of $$$$$$$$$$$$$.
I'D love to imagine that being full of $$$$$$$$$$$, instead of POPCORN........(BTW) I proudly signed the petition.....afterall I 've been a registered voter since I was 18 years old.
libra:
When you play Powerball in DC, do you also play Hot Lotto?
July 11th
HI CASH ONLY........HOW ARE YOU TODAY......GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU......
NO, I only play "MEGA-MILLIONS" AND "POWER BALL".....i never really think about it because I am not a real gambler.......I grab the MM & Powerball cards when I am at the grocery store, then go home and fill out the cards, while listening to music and relaxing. I do not know how to play Hot Lotto, but now you have "tweaked" my interest. Is there a big chance to win big $$$$$$$$$$ ??
I do play the Powerball when I venture into "tombstone".........that's what many of us in the outlying suburbs call the District of Columbia.....(hehhehehehehe) I am sure you know why.......
I started playing Powerball in the early 90"s, because I thought it was easier. Now I play both..How do you play "Hot Lotto"????
......."btw" your psuedonym is fantastic. Orginal and to the point.
libra:
I always play MM (to stay on topic.) Hot Lotto is played just like MM & PB, without the ridiculous odds.
July..12th......6:45Pm....
.
..............................Thanks for the "heads up"...... CASH ONLY, I will have to try that game sometime...I played the "scratch offs" a few days ago and won a little cash.....btw.....wasn't I on topic?????????