Daily Fact
Ireland The largest number of players to win the jackpot in one draw is twenty. With a jackpot of €2.3 million, each recieved €119,800.
Lottery news
2 finalists picked for Illinois lottery contract
Two private companies were named as finalists Monday for a lucrative, first-of-its-kind contract to manage Illinois' lottery and will give public presentations on their proposals next week, state officials said.
Arkansas panel hears complaints on lotto machines
Vending machines that dispense lottery tickets are headed to Arkansas retailers, after a legislative committee reviewed rules governing the machines but took no action.
$5.9M more available for Ark. scholarships
About 1,400 more students will be awarded scholarships with money from the Arkansas lottery, Gov. Mike Beebe announced Tuesday after he learned an additional $5.9 million is available from lottery proceeds.
Lottery officials back Aqueduct 'racino' operator
The state Lottery Division on Tuesday recommended a Malaysia-based company to build and operate video slot machines at New York City's Aqueduct racetrack, a gambling operation expected to spin off hundreds of millions of dollars a year to the cash-strapped state and its horse racing industry.
Lottery makes last call for private manager bids
The Illinois Lottery made a last call for bids Friday from private companies looking to manage the agency's operations in a deal that officials say could boost revenue and bring in a new group of gamers.
Wedding Gift: Groom gives bride-to-be $250K ticket
One Missouri groom gave his bride-to-be a perfect token of his love: a $250,000-winning lottery ticket. Robert Russell surprised his betrothed, 30-year-old Tracie Rogers, with the early wedding gift. The scratch card surprised them both with its bounty.
4-time Texas lotto winner rich with money, mystery
The odds that Joan Ginther would hit four Texas Lottery jackpots for a combined nearly $21 million are astronomical. Mathematicians say the chances are as slim as 1 in 18 septillion — that's 18 and 24 zeros.
3 big companies bid to run lucrative Texas Lottery
Three major gambling companies entered the competition by Tuesday to run Texas' lottery — a massive operation that could pay $100 million per year to the winning bidder.
Ohio clerk flubs lottery ticket, but wins $250K
An Ohio store clerk's mistake when printing a Mega Millions lottery ticket has won her $250,000. Naomi Mauller forgot to add an extra game to a customer's lottery ticket on Tuesday night, so she printed a new ticket and bought her $2 mistake. Both her ticket and its twin hit, raking in $250,000 for each winner.
Wizards win NBA's draft lottery, earn No. 1 pick
With his championship ring on her hand and her late husband's dreams of another on her mind, Irene Pollin stood in shock as the Washington Wizards won the draft lottery.
Conn. judge: Elderly sister can keep lottery prize
An 87-year-old Connecticut woman doesn't have to split her share of a $500,000 lottery jackpot with the 84-year-old sister she hasn't spoken to since they began fighting over the windfall in 2005, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Oilers win lottery for 1st pick in NHL draft
After finishing with a league-low 62 points, the Edmonton Oilers have won the NHL draft lottery for the first overall pick in June.
Israelis claim $20 million lottery 4 months late
A couple who won Israel's biggest lottery prize came forward Tuesday wearing masks to hide their identities and claimed the $20 million payout, saying they had no idea they had been holding the lucky ticket for nearly four months.
Ark. lottery budget revised after law change found
Arkansas' lottery director said Wednesday he wasn't aware that the Legislature changed how money from unclaimed prizes is to be managed — a move that required lottery officials to revise their 2011 budget.
Pa. lottery pays $7.77 million after 7-7-7-7 hits
The Pennsylvania Lottery proved to be seventh heaven for thousands of lottery players this week.
Canadian pension fund to buy UK lottery operator
A Canadian pension plan has agreed to acquire Camelot Group PLC, the company which operates Britain's National Lottery, for 389 million pounds ($579 million), the lottery operator said Friday.
Elderly Conn. sisters battle in court over jackpot
Among the nine siblings in their family, Rose Bakaysa and her younger sister Theresa Sokaitis always shared a special bond.
NY gov drops support for Aqueduct racino group
Gov. David Paterson's administration dropped its support Thursday for a consortium chosen to build and operate up to 4,500 video slot machines at the Aqueduct racetrack, promising to further delay the 8-year-old plan to put a lucrative racino in Queens.
Texas lottery officials move ahead with bidding
Bidding on a new lucrative Texas lottery contract should move forward because there's no evidence that state consultant Gartner Inc. and the lottery's current operator GTECH Corp. improperly shared information about the process, a lottery official said Tuesday.
Judge: Scammed lottery winner to receive $395K
A district judge says nearly $400,000 seized from the accounts of a man who stole a Texas maintenance worker's lottery ticket must be handed to the scammed jackpot winner.
No bail for woman charged in lotto winner's death
The woman charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a Florida Lottery winner has been ordered held without bail.
Better Business Bureau's name stolen for scam
Successful con artists know how to make themselves look and sound legitimate. A favorite trick is to use the name of a reputable company or organization. Right now, scammers are targeting people across the country claiming to be with the Better Business Bureau. And according to the real BBB, the crooks have already stolen tens of thousands of dollars this way.
Friend charged with hiding Fla. lotto winner death
Just over a week ago, a friend of a missing Florida lottery winner approached an acquaintance with a chilling request, according to detectives: Dig up the body of the dead man in her backyard.
Critics question wisdom of Confucius-brand lottery
China's state-run lottery is offering Confucius-themed tickets with colorful drawings of the ancient philosopher and his proverbs, drawing discussion over whether gambling and his teachings are a good fit.
States begin offering Mega Millions, Powerball tix
Dozens of states have begun selling Powerball and Mega Millions tickets in what could be a step toward an eventual national lottery.
