MO Lottery Blog

Liability Limit

Missouri Lottery players who are superstitious about the upcoming July 7, 2007, date may want to buy their Pick 3 and Pick 4 tickets early.  Lottery officials anticipate reaching the liability limit on the combination 7-7-7 in Pick 3 and 7-7-7-7 in Pick 4 on that date.  On-line product manager Scott White explains what the liability limit is in the following video clip.  Download pick_3_liability_limit.wmv

Ambassador Journal

Here’s some video from our traveling Ambassadors.  You may recall they are scouring the state looking for fun-loving Lottery players and recording their happy dances.  This is the first in what we hope is a series of video updates, featuring the good people of Warsaw and Salisbury.  Enjoy.

Feedback

Maybe I'm being too picky, but I've had a number of comments that didn't relate to the subject of the post they were submitted to, and I don't want to confuse anyone. If you want to comment on a particular post, click on the comments link BELOW the subject matter you are commenting on. If you just want to ask a question or make comments in general, shoot me an email and I'll put it into a post like this one.

jimjam writes... I really feel that the lottery should do away with free tickets, $1,2,3,4...dollar amounts...this creates larger amounts per win...thus, a real gain is won.....it just doesn't do anything when my risk is not rewarded...

Actually, we bet that most people don't mind getting their money back on the game they just played. We'd all like to hit the big one, but breaking even is still a good day in my book.

Big Dave writes... May all of us have the luck to win the "big one!" But in that small chance when a person does win, what are the requirements for giving out info to the public? (I know that the lotto comm. needs all personal info) But can somebody claim the winnings without the public knowing who won? Example: The winner was J. Smith from Missouri and requested to not have a press conference and no other information is available to the public. My second comment/question is there any websites or literature on what to do when you win..security, financial advice, and cons to prevent "the curse of the lottery"? Sincerely, Big Dave

Thanks for the questions, Dave. Because we are a state agency, we have to release the name and city of all winners. If we didn't, you wouldn't believe we were giving the money away. You don't have to do a press conference, if you don't want to. But then you wouldn't get to meet me, and telling is half the fun, right? As far as your second question, would the "curse of the lottery" be winning lots of money? Doesn't sound so bad to me. We encourage winners to seek advice from tax and legal professionals, but don't recommend anyone in particular. It's best if you find someone reputable and someone you trust when it comes to managing your cash. A good place to start is your bank. Here are our suggestions on what to do when you win.

Andrea writes... Hi,I play lottery for enjoyment and I'm also glad this blog has been developed. I think having a blog was a great idea. Just a little advice for all you lottery players out there. You have to play responsible and play at your own risk. Thats how I think when I'm playing. If you can't afford to play but a $1, play only a $1,if you can play more than a $1, then play what you can afford. I personally play that way and it also depends on my mood as to how much I want to risk losing if I don't win.

You've got the right idea, Andrea. Playing the Lottery is supposed to be fun, not replace your retirement planning. We want everyone to play within their means.

Lottery Loser writes... I think this lottery stuff is a big scam. I buy tickets for powerball and lotto twice a week and have for several years. Not any more. I'm tired of buying and giving money. I have never won anything. Not even once, you're a ripoff outfit and scaming the public. I've never even known anybody who has won big, just small amounts like $29.00. So you get no more of my money for pocket lining . Get a real job.

Sorry you haven't hit it big yet, and the odds are that most people won't win a jackpot. People do win every day, big and small- in fact we've awarded over $5.2 billion in prizes- and if you need proof, just check out the winners section on our website. Some people hit it on the first ticket they buy, others, like yourself, are still waiting for lightning to strike. You never know when fortune will smile on you, but it is certain that you can't win if you don't play. Good luck.

Jan writes... HI WHAT WOULD MAKE ME HAPPY IS SCANNING A LOTTO TICKET AND SEEING I WON. I WOULD UPDATE MY HOUSE WITH A NEW A/C UNIT AND ENJOY LIFE WITH PEACE OF MIND. THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.

Air conditioning is wonderful this time of year, isn't it? Stay cool, and keep on scratchin'.

Texas Hold 'Em

I've had a few notes from folks wanting to know about the "Texas Hold 'Em Poker" promotion, like this one from Cliff.

When is the third and final drawing ever going to take place, just blew the dust off my tickets!!

Well, the game is still out there, and we were hoping it would sell out before conducting the final drawing. We don't pull tickets when there are prizes still remaining, and there are four top prizes of $100,000 yet to be found.  But like day old bread gets pulled off the shelf to make room for the new, sometimes players will give up on a game and we have to move on.  We think the final drawing will be announced soon, but in the meantime, keep on scratchin'.   

UPDATE:  Ask and you shall receive.  The third and final drawing has been set for Thursday, Sept. 13.  The entry deadline is 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6.  Good luck.

Bets Off

Do you or someone you know have a problem with gambling?  The Missouri Lottery has been a part of the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling since it’s inception in 1997.  The Alliance is recognized around the nation as a model of addressing problem gambling in a comprehensive manner. Missouri has a helpline that connects problem gamblers or their families to mental health and financial counselors; 1-888-BETS-OFF.

Alliance members include the Missouri Lottery, the Missouri Gaming Commission, the Missouri Gaming Association, the Kansas City Port Authority, the Missouri Council on Problem Gambling Concerns, Inc., and the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse.  Together, all of these agencies with a stake in gambling and the health of citizens with issues related to gambling, join hands to make sure that problem gamblers receive help and treatment.  The unified approach to services ensures help is easily available and accessible, whether the call originates after a visit to a casino, bingo hall or the neighborhood Lottery retailer.

From June 8 – 10, Missouri hosted the National Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse.  Health professionals and treatment providers converged on Kansas City for three days of training and seminars, and KC barbeque. You can learn more about the conference here, and if you have a gambling problem, remember there’s one number that’s always on your side; 1-888-BETS-OFF. 

Photo Finish

Calling all shutterbugs.  The deadline for entry into the Missouri Lottery’s 2008 Calendar Photo Contest is June 29.  Themed “Missouri Gardens,” photos entered in the contest should be organic in nature.  If you’ve seen any of our past calendars (photo is a winner from last year), you know that the quality of artistic expression is quite impressive.  The photo selected for the cover will receive $500, and each of the 12 photos featured monthly will win $100 in Scratchers tickets. 

For more information, read the details and official rules for the 2008 contest.  Good luck. 

Summer Ambassadors

Every summer, we hire a few college students to visit fairs and events representing the Missouri Lottery.  After two weeks of intense training, they disperse to various locations around the state encouraging fun and handing out prizes.  This year’s crew is an almost hyperactive bunch, which promises to entertain.  In addition to educating players on the finer points of Club Keno™, Ambassadors will be supporting our summer promotion, the "Happy Days of Summer!"  They will be asking what :makes you happy and have video cameras to catch it all on tape.  If you’re brave enough to do your happy dance, it just might end up here on the blog for everyone to enjoy.  So start working on your dance moves, keep an eye out for our Ambassadors, and be happy!  (I’m smiling already) :-)