New Zealand Lottery Results

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.

---