The California Coalition Against Gambling Expansion filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking an injunction to shut down the state's two-week-old Mega Millions multistate lotto.
The coalition will formally notified the California State Lottery of the action Wednesday, and then publicly announced it in a press release [see below], the group's attorneys from the Sacramento and Woodland Hills areas told Lottery Post.
The coalition, represented by Sacramento-area attorney Fred Jones and Woodland Hills business law attorney Nicholas Roxborough, made the announcement at a 10 a.m. news conference at the Capitol.
The lawsuit rose out of allegations that the 12-state game is unconstitutional because it operates beyond California and was approved without adequate public review.
The Governor's Office referred phone calls for reaction to the lottery, where a spokeswoman said the acting director, Chon Gutierrez, refused to "speculate" about the lawsuit until it was filed.
The lottery disclosed, however, that $16.5 million Mega Millions has hiked overall sales by about $9 million. But most of that — $7 million — came from players switching from California's ongoing Super Lotto Plus.
The coalition's lawsuit "requests the court immediately cease Mega Millions in California," Jones said. "Participation in the game clearly violates explicit provisions of the Lottery Act."
Voters made the act part of the state constitution in 1984.
The coalition wants voters to consider any Lottery Act changes even though the Legislature can alter the games on a two-thirds vote with the governor's concurrence. Gutierrez, a Schwarzenegger administration troubleshooter, launched the game June 22 with the approval of a policy-setting commission largely appointed by the Republican governor, who views it as a deficit-easing device.
In Mega Millions, players pay $1 to pick five numbers from 1 to 56, and one number from 1 to 46, 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.
Mega Millions results and other information can be found on the web site, www.usamega.com.
California Citizens Sue Mega Millions Lottery
Full text of press release
A Petition for Writ of Mandate was filed late yesterday [Editor: Wednesday] afternoon in the Sacramento Superior Court, seeking an injunction to shut down the state's Mega Millions multi-state lottery game. The Petition challenges the California Lottery Commission's authority under Proposition 37, passed by the voters in 1984, and its unilateral decision to join the multi-state lottery game without obtaining the required legislative approval.
"This action has nothing to do with the policy merits of state-sponsored lotteries and everything to do with the funding of our education system and fundamental democratic procedures," explains Nicholas Roxborough, a partner of Los Angeles-based Roxborough, Pomerance & Nye LLP, one of the attorneys who filed the suit on behalf of the plaintiffs which include a teacher and citizen organizations concerned that the public and their elected representatives must be consulted before allowing interstate expansion of California's lottery. "We are challenging the notion that the California Lottery Commission, or for that matter, any administrative body of our state government, cannot unilaterally delegate key duties imposed on it through the initiative process, while at the same time trying to avoid its accountability to our elected representatives."
The lawsuit was filed as a last resort after an emergency legislative hearing on June 16 to delay the launch proved unsuccessful, with the Legislative Counsel's Office and the Attorney General's Office sticking to their conflicting legal positions. The Legislature's legal counsel has firmly and publicly opined that the Commission lacked the legal authority to join the Mega Millions lottery while the Attorney General's Office, upon the request of the Commission, issued two "informal" confidential advice letters concluding the Commission probably had the implied authority to do so.
"These 'informal' advice letters from the Attorney General's office rely upon an inappropriate stretch of Joint Powers authority granted to all state agencies," Roxborough explains. "Moreover, these letters were not the result of any public discussion or input, as they appear to be a private communication between the Commission and the Attorney General's Office."
The lawsuit is based on the premise that the California Lottery Commission never notified or sought the approval of the Legislature, nor considered going to the voters for explicit authority to join the Mega Millions lottery as originally required by Proposition 37. The plaintiffs allege the Commission intended to stifle public notice and debate by its lack of appropriate disclosure, evidenced by the fact that the Commission devoted only a single public hearing on the matter, after giving less than two business days notice on a Friday afternoon.
"With the exception of New Jersey, which has provided sweeping powers to their state lottery, all other eleven Mega Millions states have explicit statutes authorizing states to participate in multi-state lotteries," says Sacramento-based attorney Fred Jones who jointly filed the suit with Roxborough. "California should not be the exception. Our voters have the right to determine whether or not our participation in this multi-state venture serves the interests of California's education system and citizens."
Proponents of the California State Lottery Act of 1984 assured voters the lottery would be strictly limited to and administrated only by California; voters never contemplated they were authorizing a multi-state or international lottery, Jones explains. However, the contract signed by the Commission Director relinquishes key operational authority over California ticket revenues to out-of-state administrators and tickets are sold by vendors unlicensed and unregulated by California officials, in direct violation by the California Lottery Act.
"While Commission officials have assured that Prop 37's mandate to provide 34 cents of every dollar wagered to public education will be honored in the Mega Millions lottery, it will be impossible to enforce the strict financial accountability provision of Prop 37 in this multi-state venture," says Jones.
The benefit of the Mega Millions venture to increase education funding in California is also questioned by plaintiffs.
"We've already seen the Lottery Commission sponsor legislation to reduce Prop 37 guarantees to public education on several occasions in the past three years," says Antonio Mendoza, one of the plaintiffs named in the lawsuit. "And, the Commission Director has publicly stated that any savings in overhead expenses by transferring operational authority to other Mega Million states will not be passed onto schools."
"We hope this lawsuit will force the Commission to bring this issue into the public arena where it belongs," adds Jim Butler, executive director of the California Coalition Against Gambling Expansion, another plaintiff. "We would like California citizens to have the opportunity to vote on this issue and determine whether or not the Mega Millions lottery game will be in the state's best interests."
Roxborough, Pomerance & Nye LLP (RPN) is a Los Angeles-based law firm providing expert legal counsel and representation to the California business community. Established in 1995, the firm offers abroad range of legal services in all facets of civil litigation, with its primary focus on litigation, legislation and policy making issues involving insurance and business related concerns.
The law offices of Fred Jones are located in the Sacramento region, providing legal and public policy services to clients since 1998. The firm primarily focuses on civil litigation, estate planning and state legislative lobbying.
"We hope this lawsuit will force the Commission to bring this issue into the public arena where it belongs," adds Jim Butler, executive director of the California Coalition Against Gambling Expansion, another plaintiff. "We would like California citizens to have the opportunity to vote on this issue and determine whether or not the Mega Millions lottery game will be in the state's best interests."
Difficult to find fault with that sentiment, though I suspect the group won't be happy with the results of a referendum. But maybe they're actually just monkey-wrenching.... if they lose a referendum, they find something else to contest. I've got a gut feeling the group couldn't care less what the voters and citizens want, unless they happen to want not to gamble.
Jack
I am in agreement with Rip. It seems to be another case of one group of folks trying to tell another group of folks what to do with their money. I just wish people would start cleaning around thier own back door and let others do the same. -Bonnie
Agree with you both and hope they remember their politicians positions on the matter when it comes time to vote.
I swear to god, i'm so tired of people saying "let's put it in front of the people, let the people decide" the reason we have a republica and not a pure democracy is because the people are STUPID. i.e. gay marriage...if one more conservative says put it up to a people's vote, i'm going to die. i bet if we put it up to the people, they'd vote to ship every gay person off to the first moon colony if enough adds were run advocating that.....
but back on topic.....i hope they cut them off right before the drawing and a ticket was a winner in ca, i will laugh my butt off
I swear to god, i'm so tired of people saying "let's put it in front of the people, let the people decide" the reason we have a republica and not a pure democracy is because the people are STUPID. i.e. gay marriage...if one more conservative says put it up to a people's vote, i'm going to die. i bet if we put it up to the people, they'd vote to ship every gay person off to the first moon colony if enough adds were run advocating that.....
but back on topic.....i hope they cut them off right before the drawing and a ticket was a winner in ca, i will laugh my butt off
Hmmmmm. I don't think I can qualify as a conservative, but I'm willing to try.
Let's put it in front of the people, let the people decide.
Bon voyage, amigo.
(How's things down on 4th Street, Killeen, these days?)
Jack
The pro mega million players should file a lawsuit against the anti mega million group.............................
I swear to god, i'm so tired of people saying "let's put it in front of the people, let the people decide" the reason we have a republica and not a pure democracy is because the people are STUPID. i.e. gay marriage...if one more conservative says put it up to a people's vote, i'm going to die. i bet if we put it up to the people, they'd vote to ship every gay person off to the first moon colony if enough adds were run advocating that.....
but back on topic.....i hope they cut them off right before the drawing and a ticket was a winner in ca, i will laugh my butt off
I agree with Jack, let's put it in front of the people, let the people decide.
Why don't you move to North Korea, where they recognize that "the people are STUPID" (your words), so the leaders decide for them.
You don't sound very well thought out. You say you understand our political system, but obviously you don't. The reason for our republic form of democracy is not because of "stupid people", but because a pure democracy would be logistically impossible to operate with a country of this size.
This is a "government of the people", and I guess that infuriates radical left-wingers.
The pro mega million players should file a lawsuit against the anti mega million group.............................
I agree.
The game is already going on, if you don't like to gamble.....THEN DON'T!!!! Geesh.
I swear to god, i'm so tired of people saying "let's put it in front of the people, let the people decide" the reason we have a republica and not a pure democracy is because the people are STUPID. i.e. gay marriage...if one more conservative says put it up to a people's vote, i'm going to die. i bet if we put it up to the people, they'd vote to ship every gay person off to the first moon colony if enough adds were run advocating that.....
but back on topic.....i hope they cut them off right before the drawing and a ticket was a winner in ca, i will laugh my butt off
I agree with Jack, let's put it in front of the people, let the people decide.
Why don't you move to North Korea, where they recognize that "the people are STUPID" (your words), so the leaders decide for them.
You don't sound very well thought out. You say you understand our political system, but obviously you don't. The reason for our republic form of democracy is not because of "stupid people", but because a pure democracy would be logistically impossible to operate with a country of this size.
This is a "government of the people", and I guess that infuriates radical left-wingers.
well...actually no...the reason we have a republic and not a pure democracy is because the founding fathers wanted to protect minority rights from the crazed majority. I.E. you telling people to move to north korea cause you don't agree with their political views. Perhaps you should move to north korea instead since you seem to sound a little fascist....
p.s. the country wasn't nearly this big when it was founded and the constitution was written, so "but because a pure democracy would be logistically impossible to operate with a country of this size." is just sheer stupidity, though today if this country were being founded that might be a logical argument.
If I sound fascist, then you certainly sound socialist.
There are many reasons why we have a representative democracy, and the reason I explained to you is one of the key ones.
You don't seem to understand what a true democracy is, if you think the original 13 colonies could logistically be run with a true democracy.
Even ancient Greece, as a very tiny country, suffered from its true Democracy.
Grow up, and stop throwing labels like "fascist" at every person who doesn't agree with your liberal agenda.
If I sound fascist, then you certainly sound socialist.
There are many reasons why we have a representative democracy, and the reason I explained to you is one of the key ones.
You don't seem to understand what a true democracy is, if you think the original 13 colonies could logistically be run with a true democracy.
Even ancient Greece, as a very tiny country, suffered from its true Democracy.
Grow up, and stop throwing labels like "fascist" at every person who doesn't agree with your liberal agenda.
hmm? hmm? what's that smell??? smells like hypocrite to me!!!
mr. i'm going to label you a radical left-winger based on one sentence....hahahahaha....how about you grow up first?
and what liberal agenda did i put out there btw? to keep gays from being shipped off to the moon? oh yeah....how lame of me....where's my space suit...i need to get in line
I seem to have touched a nerve.
p.s. the point i was making, which you obviously don't seem to get, is that some things, shouldn't be up to the people, period. slavery, shouldn't be up for a vote, equal rights for women and gays, shouldn't be up for a vote. these are things that should be absolute, through and through....and your oh so lame "i think i hit a nerve" line, stemming from the fact you have no cognotive retort, is quite...oh what's the word, stupid.
Everything should be up to the people.
Everything should be up to the people.
wow....that makes you a moron. So you're saying if i wanted to reinstitutionalize slavery...strip women of the right to drive....you would have no problem with that being on the ballot...and if it passed....you'd just say...awww shucks...at the least the people decided.....
I took out the insult from my previous message, because it would just apply to you, not everyone else.
You can want anything you want, but I give people more credit than you do. You're one of those people who think you know better than everyone else in the "red" states. What do the elitists call it? "Flyover country." Well, you and I are on polar opposites: I have faith in people, and you have faith in a bunch of elitists.
You're the kind of person who doesn't agree in tax breaks, because you think the government knows how to spend our money better than we do. Or maybe you want to say "tax breaks for the wealthy" or some other BS like that.
you haven't answered my question...so if slavery was reintroduced, gays were flown to the moon, women can't decide what to the do with their bodies...soldies can come in your home and eat your tuna sandwich for no reason...it's all ok cause the people voted for it? the thomas jefferson would have spit right in your face
No, those things wouldn't be OK, but I would agree to send you to the moon without a helmet.
Why don't they just put an education "tax" on the coilition against gambling, for the money to be allocated to education from mega millions. Then let the good folks from California vote on that..! Let the coi;ition against gambling pay for education, then see what kind of a tune they would sing.
Nah, they might have a "mini" tea party ( west coast style ) if that ever happened. these people have lost their common sense....!
hello...this is lovericobra....<snip>
Oh christ, get a real life and grow up.....!
Hi lovericobra: Talking about some policies in some countries is not such serious ...did you read the daily newpapers ?
According to me, In most comunist countries, I can say that they are lack of democracy, goverment tooks away the right of their people ..That TRUE, and REALISTIC!!!
Please reduce your strong language !!
I don't know much about gay marriages, except as they pertain to Californios getting to play Mega Millions. I'm actually not particularly concerned whether Californios get to play MM, or not....Now I think about it, I find I don't care whether they allow them all to marry people of their same sex, also.
If it's a matter of choice, so long as nobody tries to force me to play Mega Millions or marry anyone, most particularly a male, Californios can do just about whatever they please without me being able to generate an opinion.
But I do agree we humans, including voters, are stupid. And I wouldn't mind going off to a moon colony if they won't make me marry someone of my own sex.
Otherwise, I'm indifferent.
Further deponent sayeth not.
Jack
Groups like this get money from the Indian casino's so saying they are against gambling is a fraud. They are just more sleazy lawyers in search of a quick buck, nothing new here.
It seems that lovericobra is a stalinist not a socialist, Todd. (he,she,it) is strongly against having people have their opinion heard and having opinions against gay marriage or other issues should result in the death penalty similar to the methods employed by stalinist russia.
It seems that lovericobra is a stalinist not a socialist, Todd. (he,she,it) is strongly against having people have their opinion heard and having opinions against gay marriage or other issues should result in the death penalty similar to the methods employed by stalinist russia.
Uncle Joe Stalin, believe it or not, was accused of being a socialist a time or two in his life. In fact, the country blessed with his benevolent rule was actually named The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
But if Joe Stalin was opposed to gay marriages it was probably out of concern for what manner of creatures the offspring would be. Until I began reading through this thread I'd never paused to consider the matter.
Once again an LP thread with a deadly case of thread-drift has resulted in a sea-change realization or two. Maybe this deserves a thread of its own down in the gaming forum.
Jack
Jack,
I hear a blog entry coming!
Groups like this get money from the Indian casino's so saying they are against gambling is a fraud. They are just more sleazy lawyers in search of a quick buck, nothing new here.
You gotta admit, anyone capable of taking money from Indian casinos who doesn't have a Southern European surname is probably worth eyeing with a certain level of trepidation.
As is anyone capable of usurping the meaning of a perfectly usable, working class word in the English language, Gay Paree, gay blade, etc, and curling it around on itself until it retroactively accuses Parisians and all the gay blades of history and tradition of sleeping around with themselves also needs watching. (I'm alluding to the other tributory channel of thread-drift here.... ie., Joe Stalin's alleged attempt to place them in a colony on the moon to keep them out of the bedrooms of jealous voters.)
Jack
Jack,
I hear a blog entry coming!
I dunno, Todd. I'm not sure my blog cuts a wide enough swath to handle this. I think I just about ran out my string with the tick migration.
Jack
Jack,
I hear a blog entry coming!
I dunno, Todd. I'm not sure my blog cuts a wide enough swath to handle this. I think I just about ran out my string with the tick migration.
Jack
Whatever you say. Yours is my favorite blog, so as far as I'm concerned whatever criteria you use for blog material inclusion is working just great - don't change.
I think people in California should stop playing Mega Millions and go back to California SLP because I think they'll win the lawsuit forcing California to no longer sell Mega Millions tickets.
MM needs to stay in California.
The pro mega million players should file a lawsuit against the anti mega million group.............................
I agree.
The game is already going on, if you don't like to gamble.....THEN DON'T!!!! Geesh.