Dawn Nettles, the Garland woman who has made criticizing the troubled Texas Lottery Commission a full-time job in recent years, is applying for the job of running the state agency.
"My goal is to clean up the lottery, run it honestly and still make money for the state," Nettles said this morning. "I'm a trouble-shooter, and I know the lottery players."
Nettles, who publishes the online Lotto Report, was first to alert the Texas Attorney General's Office that then-Executive Director Reagan Greer had signed off on advertising a Lotto Texas jackpot in June that lottery officials knew could not be supported by ticket sales.
The inflated jackpot advertisement, first reported in the Star-Telegram, became the focus of a special meeting of the Texas Lottery Commission and a hearing of the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee.
Greer resigned in July after saying his action led to the loss of confidence in his leadership among lottery employees and the three-member lottery commission that oversees the state agency.
Lottery officials have opened a nationwide search for a director to manage day-to-day operations for the agency, which generates about $1 billion a year for state coffers.
Nettles sent a letter by overnight courier to lottery officials asking to be considered for the post, which pays about $110,000 a year. Deputy director Gary Grief has been acting as director since Greer vacated the post.
Nettles said in her letter that she has the ability to "lead and motivate staff" and use sales experience she has gained during her career in business.
Lottery officials could not be reached this morning for comment.
I think it's a great idea for Nettles to apply for this job. If anyone gets this Texas Lottery job, I hope Texas fixes their lotto and stop the bonus ball game.
Maybe Mr. Drivedabizness will have something to say about this.
Orangeman
I thought Nettles was anti-gambling, especially anti-Lottery. Now she want the $110K job? Sounds like money talks.
I believe Dawn has good intentions. If I was in her position I would do the same. But I have my doubts. Her good player intentions though I think will get her into trouble. It would be very interesting to see the TLC elect someone that has given them so much grief. I will applaud the TLC if they choose her for the passion that they will show that they want to make things better. But hopefully she will understand that larger jackpots are needed. They mean more ticket sales and more money for the state.
Brad
I hope she gets it.
It will be even sweeter if some other private citizen Texan takes her place as "lottery critic" and tries to disrupt every lottery committee meeting and puts her every action under a microscope, and then posts everything about her on a web site -- later calling for her resignation. (These are all things she did to the former Director, for those people who just think I'm being "mean".)
My, how things come full circle.
Sounds like karmic retribution . . .
Orangeman
Dawn nettles is good at what she does, but that does not mean she needs to be considered for the Directorship of the TLC. This is a management position - one with a multi-million dollar budget. She is in no way qualified. She needs to stick to what she does and stop listening to her "fans".
She has fans?
She has fans?
Yes, there are many Texas Lottery players who adore her, because she stood up to them, and because she was deligent.
I'm a little hard on her because of a couple of reasons:
Like I said earlier, I hope she gets it.
In life, most people get what they deserve, and she deserves to get what she's been dishing. Who knows, maybe she'll be the best Lottery Director ever! (said with a smile.)
If she has an ego the size of Texas now, imagine it the size of Alaska if she gets the job. Pity the employees who'd have to enjoy the trickle-down of that. The inevitable negative press on minor events would have her storming inside and out.
But it might be healthy to have her a while. Just keeping everyone walking on eggshells, making sure everything's shipshape can't hurt any lottery operation.
But when those employees go home at night there are gonna be a lot of dogs cringing under the bed.
Jack
I think she has done some good things and she has been nothing but helpful and polite to me personally.
One issue I would have with her is that she is opposed to the midday Pick 3 drawing. Pick 3 is my game and the midday helps me track the evening drawing.
Other than that, she would be a burr under the saddle of the powers that be in Austin. I doubt if she would get the nod for the post. The Austin ruling class probably hates her and would not want her that close to the seat of power. She would make too many waves for their comfort.
Orangeman
I think she has done some good things and she has been nothing but helpful and polite to me personally.
One issue I would have with her is that she is opposed to the midday Pick 3 drawing. Pick 3 is my game and the midday helps me track the evening drawing.
Other than that, she would be a burr under the saddle of the powers that be in Austin. I doubt if she would get the nod for the post. The Austin ruling class probably hates her and would not want her that close to the seat of power. She would make too many waves for their comfort.
Orangeman
Orangeman,
I think you hit upon an important point that should not be overlooked: Dawn Nettles does not really understand what true lottery fans, the real dyed-in-the-wool players, want.
She looks at midday drawings as a conspiracy by the TX Lottery to get more money out of you. I look at it as double the fun, because I think like a player, not like a critic.
Same thing with Mega Millions. Clearly, it's a much better choice for Texas than Powerball, and she also opposes the Megplier, which is an option that 99% of non-Texas Real Lottery Players wish they had in their state. I sure wish NJ had that option. But again, she thinks like a critic, and I think like a player.
I'm happy that she has been nice to you. Maybe it's because you don't run a big lottery website, I can't guess. Like I said, she was angry that I don't post me personal information on the Internet, which is just plain strange to me.
And did you see that she accused me of being in cahoots with a state lottery? I think she even started a rumor about it.
A lot of regulatory and management boards in Texas and other states include members from various walks of life to add some breadth to the perspective. Sometimes that method works well, sometimes it doesnt.
Seems to me an executive director of a lottery doesn't need to know so much about lotteries, as he/she needs to know about people, ideas, vision, management, and employee relations. The nuts and bolts are the territory of the marketing people, security people and whatever other crews they have within the organization. That CEO really is only needed to provide vision and direction, to keep things on a steady course in the intended direction, and to be the place where the buck stops when those things don't happen.
Within that context, this person doesn't sound like the best selection, though she might be a good one to sit on the board.
Jack
Jack,
Your description of requirements for a lottery executive director are often what actually happens, but not necessarily what's best for the lottery. I think it helps a great deal when the person has lottery experience, and knows the industry inside-out. Most problems happen when people are appointed matching the description you gave.
A lottery director job is to come up with ways to attract as many lottery players as possible and keep as much of their money as possible for the state treasure. If Dawn Nettles can't do that better than the last guy then she shouldn't be given the job. Lottery directors don't feel sorry for lottery losers, they create them and Dawn Nettles must think she can do both.
Todd:
Your comments on thinking like a player would also work with our so-called public servants. How many of our so-called leaders think like citizens? How many even take the citizens needs and desires into account when making a decision. If they would, it would be a much better world for all of us.
Orangeman
Todd:
I bow to your experience along these lines. I don't have much knowledge of the history of lottery directors and their backgrounds as compared to the success and failures of the directors with each set of qualifications. My observation was only that.
RJOH: Seemingly astute and valid points.
Orangeman: The first priority of a leader is to cease thinking like a citizen and join the in-crowd. Thinking like a citizen's the sort of thing to get you excluded from the cocktail parties.
Jack
I feel compelled to dive in here
First - I apologize to all for the tone of some of my earlier posts. It was wrong and rude of me to call Ms. Nettles an idiot. In addition, it doesn't matter how many years I've been in this industry or how much more knowledge I may or may not have - everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
If we were on speaking terms, I suppose I'd ask Ms. Nettles what she thinks qualifies her for the job. How she answered it would tell me a lot. She obviously doesn't think much of the staff people there - which calls into question whether she would follow their advice or tend to question it. Most importantly, a Lottery Director has to be a good business person, and for a non-Lottery person to be successful, I believe they have to have enough personal knowledge to make the right calls when their staff doesn't.
What I've seen of her web site hardly inspires me (there I go again - but hey, I'm just making an observation) - so I have to question her overall business acumen. What kind of formal credentials does she have? What's her organizational management history? Has she had responsibility for budgets? Multi-million dollar budgets? I mean, the Lottery is on its way to $4 billion in annual sales if they stick to their plan...why would anyone jeopardize that? As Todd said so well, being a gadfly does not necessarily mean you could fix what's wrong you have to know what's really wrong and what's not and I don't think she knows. Monday morning quarterbacking is easy...
As I explained to Todd (and may have posted earlier) she asked me once at a retailer forum (with a look like - "OK, now I'm gonna nail these guys in front of a whole room full of their retailers... Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy") why, with odds of 1:1000, Texas doesn't pay $1000 on the Pick 3 top prize. I explained patiently that retailers have to get paid, that the State gets their share and that even the Lottery gets a cut to run the operation. You (in general) take prize payout and multiply times odds - in this case, odds (1000) times prize payout (50%) equals $500. If she didn't know that, how can she possibly operate the Lottery to maximize revenues for Texas????
What I'm saying is that if you're going to sling mud, you should know what you're talking about. Even if you do know, you shouldn't be too over the top (hence my apology). Given the level of knowledge she has displayed, she doesn't seem remotely qualified to be a product manager, let alone overseeing an entire agency with all of the disciplines involved. Its highly unlikely that the staff - many of whom are extremely hardworking, knowledgable and dedicated to making it the best Lottery they can - would warm to the idea of reporting to someone who has done nothing but try to make their life more difficult.
Todd:
Your comments on thinking like a player would also work with our so-called public servants. How many of our so-called leaders think like citizens? How many even take the citizens needs and desires into account when making a decision. If they would, it would be a much better world for all of us.
Orangeman
Amen.
Drivedabizness,
I think your criticisms and mine are the same. I think we're both saying she lacks the industry knowledge that is necessary.
I have no idea she made such an ignorant statement as she did about the Pick 3 game. I used "ignorant", not "stupid", because that's exactly what that comment is.
I think it's great to have "watchdogs", and there are a lot of people who have been helped by many of Nettles' actions. But I think I have voiced my problems with her as well. She's not all-bad and she's not all-good. Somewhere in between. And I hope she gets the job -- it would be SO interesting to watch.
Todd
I agree with you that it would be interesting - I suppose watching a train wreck could be called interesting too. :)
I'm cannot claim to be a neutral arbiter here - I've worked with these folks and oh by the way (for Orangeman) I know and admit they have real problems with their lotto games. I simply disagree that going back to 6/49 will make everything all yippy skippy. Overall sales have been growing smartly and I htink they have a right to be proud of their record overall. In my experience they challenge all opinions and really do try to do the right thing. They are one of my favorite lotteries.
I feel compelled to dive in here
First - I apologize to all for the tone of some of my earlier posts. It was wrong and rude of me to call Ms. Nettles an idiot. In addition, it doesn't matter how many years I've been in this industry or how much more knowledge I may or may not have - everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
If we were on speaking terms, I suppose I'd ask Ms. Nettles what she thinks qualifies her for the job. How she answered it would tell me a lot. She obviously doesn't think much of the staff people there - which calls into question whether she would follow their advice or tend to question it. Most importantly, a Lottery Director has to be a good business person, and for a non-Lottery person to be successful, I believe they have to have enough personal knowledge to make the right calls when their staff doesn't.
What I've seen of her web site hardly inspires me (there I go again - but hey, I'm just making an observation) - so I have to question her overall business acumen. What kind of formal credentials does she have? What's her organizational management history? Has she had responsibility for budgets? Multi-million dollar budgets? I mean, the Lottery is on its way to $4 billion in annual sales if they stick to their plan...why would anyone jeopardize that? As Todd said so well, being a gadfly does not necessarily mean you could fix what's wrong you have to know what's really wrong and what's not and I don't think she knows. Monday morning quarterbacking is easy...
As I explained to Todd (and may have posted earlier) she asked me once at a retailer forum (with a look like - "OK, now I'm gonna nail these guys in front of a whole room full of their retailers... Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy") why, with odds of 1:1000, Texas doesn't pay $1000 on the Pick 3 top prize. I explained patiently that retailers have to get paid, that the State gets their share and that even the Lottery gets a cut to run the operation. You (in general) take prize payout and multiply times odds - in this case, odds (1000) times prize payout (50%) equals $500. If she didn't know that, how can she possibly operate the Lottery to maximize revenues for Texas????
What I'm saying is that if you're going to sling mud, you should know what you're talking about. Even if you do know, you shouldn't be too over the top (hence my apology). Given the level of knowledge she has displayed, she doesn't seem remotely qualified to be a product manager, let alone overseeing an entire agency with all of the disciplines involved. Its highly unlikely that the staff - many of whom are extremely hardworking, knowledgable and dedicated to making it the best Lottery they can - would warm to the idea of reporting to someone who has done nothing but try to make their life more difficult.
Sounds as though you're in a position to know what you're talking about. I wonder that I've missed your earlier posts.
Thanks for the remarks.
Jack
Todd
I agree with you that it would be interesting - I suppose watching a train wreck could be called interesting too. :)
I'm cannot claim to be a neutral arbiter here - I've worked with these folks and oh by the way (for Orangeman) I know and admit they have real problems with their lotto games. I simply disagree that going back to 6/49 will make everything all yippy skippy. Overall sales have been growing smartly and I htink they have a right to be proud of their record overall. In my experience they challenge all opinions and really do try to do the right thing. They are one of my favorite lotteries.
Thanks - I really did get a good laugh at your first sentence! I also enjoy reading your comments on the games. Glad you're posting.
Seems she may have had her eye on the top position all along. It's going to be interesting to see if she steers or floats.
Texas Lottery critic turns down selection committee post
https://www.lotterypost.com/thread/116987?q=Dawn+Nettles
You have an excellent memory, Konane.
Jack
You have an excellent memory, Konane.
Jack
You're the one that pegged it first in that thread.
Maybe I should apply to run the NY Lottery. NY Lotto would pay back at least 50%; no more annuity-only scratch games; the Lose for Life scratches would also get cash options; Lotto and MM players would no longer choose cash/annuity UNLESS they win...
http://www.lottoreport.com
I use this site all the time...to pick my pick 3 numbers....her and someone name Don predict on that page... there good pickers...but this page updates everyone...she is truely a great canidate for the position...She is a lottery activist in my case....If the job is given to her i hope she can straigten things up in there...good luck to her...
http://www.lottoreport.com
I use this site all the time...to pick my pick 3 numbers....her and someone name Don predict on that page... there good pickers...but this page updates everyone...she is truely a great canidate for the position...She is a lottery activist in my case....If the job is given to her i hope she can straigten things up in there...good luck to her...
Yup, that's who we're talking about.
They are good pickers? I didn't realize that in addition to everything else she does, she finds time to predict numbers. Busy lady.
I wonder how they would stack up to the other predictors here at Lottery Post if they posted their picks on the predictions pages. Maybe someone will come up with her hit ratio and prize ratio.
She sounds like a jack of all trades:
I think maybe she should consider running for public office next.
Drivedabizness,
I think your criticisms and mine are the same. I think we're both saying she lacks the industry knowledge that is necessary.
I have no idea she made such an ignorant statement as she did about the Pick 3 game. I used "ignorant", not "stupid", because that's exactly what that comment is.
I think it's great to have "watchdogs", and there are a lot of people who have been helped by many of Nettles' actions. But I think I have voiced my problems with her as well. She's not all-bad and she's not all-good. Somewhere in between. And I hope she gets the job -- it would be SO interesting to watch.
I hope that she doesn't get it (and I'm positive she won't). I'm a proud TEXAN and I'd hate that have her representing the great state of TEXAS at a MegaMillions Directors meeting. Nothing personal against Ms Nettles, I just think that she has a talent for being a lottery watchdog, so she should stick to doing just that. You can't be a true watchdog if you are an insider. Truth-be-told, the lottery is part politics, so whoever gets the job will be an ally of the current "establishment". That's just how politics work, in TEXAS and everywhere else...
hey todd...I think she would do pretty dang good here at the LP for predicting numbers...but yea i agree with everything you say concerning this topic...
Funny thing i live in North Dallas shes in Garland thats like 2 minutes from me...Hey Miss Nettles how bout lunch...lol