The CLEAR Coalition, representing over 900,000 Pennsylvanians, expressed opposition to legislation permitting “skill games” in the state. They argue that these machines, deemed illegal by authorities including the Pennsylvania State Police and the Office of Attorney General, are diverting revenue from the Pennsylvania Lottery, which supports programs for older residents. A Pennsylvania Lottery report estimated over $650 million in scratch sales lost to unregulated skill machines, negatively impacting support for vulnerable Pennsylvanians. Lottery officials anticipate losses of up to $170 million in the upcoming year. The coalition urged lawmakers to prioritize the needs of older Pennsylvanians and reject the expansion of these machines. Signed by various organization leaders, the letter emphasizes the importance of adequately funding public services. Link to Full Article: https://lafleurs.com/news/lottery/2023/06/26/clear-coalition-urges-lawmakers-to-oppose-so-called-skill-games-in-pennsylvania/
The Ohio Lottery Commission (OLC) seeks a Chief Fiscal Officer (CFO) to lead and oversee financial operations, align fiscal strategy with the agency’s mission, and manage the Office of Finance, offering a salary range of $120,000-$135,000 per year.
Link to Full Details: https://lafleurs.com/news/2023/06/27/opportunity-alert-chief-fiscal-officer-cfo-position-at-ohio-lottery-commission-olc/
During Maryland’s 2023 legislative session, Senator Ron Watson’s bill to legalize online casino gaming did not gain enough support. However, Watson managed to generate interest among lawmakers regarding the expansion of iGaming in Maryland. As a result, the state’s FY 2024 budget mandates the Maryland Lottery to submit a report on iGaming to the General Assembly by November 15. The lottery has already issued a request for proposal (RFP) to find a third party to conduct the study, which will focus on various aspects such as the estimated market size of iGaming in Maryland, its potential economic impact on physical casinos and the state lottery system, and the experience of other states with legalized iGaming. Senator Watson or another legislator is expected to reintroduce the bill during the 2024 legislative session, aiming to let Maryland voters decide on online casino gaming during the 2024 election.
Ohio lawmakers are working to finalize a new budget, with one of the issues being the potential doubling of the tax rate on sports betting. Governor Mike DeWine supports the tax increase, citing the strong performance of sportsbooks in the state. The budget bills passed by the House and Senate differ on several issues, including the gambling tax rate. Adopting the higher rate could generate an additional $100 million to $135 million per year in tax revenue. A legislative conference committee is negotiating to reach a compromise before the fiscal year ends on June 30. However, it is uncertain if they can meet the deadline.
The 40th annual New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning, taking place at Solberg Airport in Readington, will feature a lineup of renowned artists across two concert stages, including performances by Everclear, Lit, KC and the Sunshine Band, Fitz and The Tantrums, and various tribute bands. The festival has become the largest summer hot air balloon and music festival in North America, attracting Grammy Award-winning artists and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers in the past. The event offers a range of ticket options and is known for its vibrant atmosphere.
The Georgia Lottery is commemorating its 30th anniversary, having generated over $26.5 million for education in the state. A special program, “Celebrating 30 Years of the Georgia Lottery: A Family 2 Family,” will air on June 29 on Channel 2.
VisitBritain and The National Lottery have launched a promotion to encourage Brits to visit attractions this summer. The campaign offers £25 vouchers for trips to hundreds of top attractions across the UK. From July 3 to September 30, National Lottery players can redeem the vouchers by entering their game reference number on the VisitBritain Shop website. The initiative aims to boost local tourism and support cultural heritage. VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates emphasizes the opportunity to explore visitor attractions and boost local economies. The campaign is being promoted through various channels, including social media and website content.
Chicago businessperson James T. Weiss has been convicted by a federal jury for attempting to bribe Illinois lawmakers to pass a bill favoring his sweepstakes gaming company. He paid bribes to state lawmakers, including Luis Arroyo and Terry Link, to include language legalizing sweepstakes machines in the state’s gambling expansion bill. The bill to outlaw sweepstakes machines remains active and could pass in 2024.