The Illinois Lottery introduces “Blackjack,” a $2 game supporting homelessness prevention and assistance programs. Players scratch off hands on the ticket to win prizes if they beat the dealer’s hand. Profits go to the Homeless Prevention Revenue Fund, aiding homeless individuals in Illinois. The game has raised about $4.7 million so far.
Additionally, the Illinois Lottery partners with the Illinois Department of Public Health for the $3 “Twisted Treasure” ticket. It funds HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment through Quality-of-Life grants. Over $8 million has been raised, supporting awareness, testing, treatment, and resources. The initiative aligns with the Getting to Zero Illinois Plan, aiming to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 with the help of organizations like the Center on Halsted and Alliance Care 360.
The Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) of the District of Columbia has an opening for an Advertising Manager, specifically with responsibilities related to brand awareness and ticket sales for different types of lotteries and betting.
The Virginia Lottery has achieved the highest level of accreditation in responsible gambling through the Responsible Gambling Verification program. The program, a partnership between the National Council on Problem Gambling and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, has certified Virginia’s Play Responsibly program at the sustaining level. This recognition highlights the lottery’s dedication to promoting responsible gambling and ethical practices. The Virginia Lottery’s Play Responsibly program includes various initiatives such as public service announcements, social media campaigns, and support for the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline. The accreditation is valid for three years and showcases the lottery’s commitment to responsible play.
The Mississippi Lottery is hosting its Summer of Fun Promotion, where participants have a chance to win a 2023 Sun Tracker Party Barge package and $10,000 in cash. The top prize winner of the June 26 drawing will receive the 18-foot party barge with a 75-horsepower Mercury Motor and trailer, along with the cash prize. Additional prizes include an $8,000 cash prize, a $4,000 cash prize, and a Yeti Hopper cooler. No purchase is necessary to enter, and participants can submit a form for each drawing. The promotion runs until August 28, featuring more cash and prizes, including a 2023 Nissan Titan Pro-4x truck and $10,000 in the final drawing.
Dick Clark Productions and Powerball have announced their collaboration for the fifth consecutive year to present the “Powerball First Millionaire of the Year” promotion. Five finalists randomly selected from Powerball players nationwide will have the chance to win $1 million in a live drawing broadcasted on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024” on ABC. Participating lotteries will hold contests to select the finalists, and the winner will be announced after midnight in Times Square. The promotion involves multiple lottery jurisdictions, and last year’s winner was Gary Krigbaum from North Carolina.
The South Dakota Lottery Commission introduced a new $30 instant ticket in response to increased interest in higher-priced options. Sales for the $20 ticket nearly doubled in 2022, reflecting the preference for higher-priced tickets. A survey showed that 58% of South Dakota residents were interested in purchasing pricier tickets. Since the launch of the new ticket on May 1, the lottery has achieved an average weekly sale of around $168,000. Furthermore, a group of neon family tickets will be introduced on June 30, featuring a “second chance” drawing for a $500 Visa cash card. Overall, the lottery has experienced a 6.7% sales increase since the $30 ticket’s debut, although some cannibalization of sales from lower-priced tickets occurred. The potential removal of the $1 ticket is being discussed, but it remains important for attracting new players. Average bets for video lottery games have also seen a slight increase, and the latest revenue forecast for the fiscal year predicts a modest rise compared to the previous year.
New York Senator Joe Addabbo is pushing for the legalization of online casinos and internet lottery in addition to the existing sports betting market. He highlights the $1 billion in education funding raised from online sports betting taxes and believes that legalizing online casinos and lotteries could generate additional revenue. Addabbo, chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Racing, Gaming, and Wagering, aims to expand the state’s gaming opportunities while improving addiction services. He plans to work on proposals for online casinos and lottery during the summer.
Rhode Island lawmakers have passed an iGaming bill, which was signed by Governor McKee just hours before the deadline. Online slots and table games will be available in the state starting in April 2024. The legislation extends Bally’s casino monopoly to iGaming, making its online arm Gamesys the sole operator. Online slot revenue will be taxed at 50%, with the remainder divided between Bally’s and IGT. Table games will face an 18% revenue tax. The Rhode Island Division of the Lottery will regulate iGaming, with geolocation technology used to ensure players are within the state. Rhode Island currently joins six other states where iGaming is legal.
Jackpocket has launched in Nebraska. The launch is accompanied by a promotion offering Nebraskans their first lottery ticket for free using the code NEBRASKA.
Newfoundland and Labrador has become the third Atlantic province in Canada to introduce regulated online gambling. The local government surprised residents by announcing the availability of digital casino gaming through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation’s website. Newfoundland and Labrador is the only Canadian jurisdiction without land-based casinos. The province aims to provide a safe and responsible environment for online gaming, and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation offers secure gambling options and resources through its PlayWise program. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have already launched online gambling, and Prince Edward Island has approved it but is yet to implement it.
The board of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), the South African Lottery, has approved a reparation process that will lead to apologies and, in some cases, financial reparation, to former staff who were punished or driven out of their jobs for blowing the whistle on corruption. “We’re doing it because the NLC has wronged communities and we need to say sorry,” the new commissioner, Jodi Scholtz, said. You can read more here.