| Archived Lottery News for March, 2003Monday, March 31, 2003 Saturday, March 29, 2003 - 3:10 am – Jackpot Winner! There was one $20 million jackpot winner from Maryland in the Friday Mega Millions drawing. More details to follow after the winner comes forward to claim their prize.
- Also, 2 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $175,000 prize: 1 in New Jersey and 1 in Ohio. For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.
Friday, March 28, 2003 Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 7:25 am – Another winning Powerball ticket sold in W.Va.. For the second time in just over three months, a winning Powerball ticket was purchased in West Virginia.
- OK lottery bill up for one more vote. The Oklahoma lottery bill will return to the House for another vote to approve ammendments made by the Senate before Gov. Brad Henry can sign it into law.
- Bumpy Legislative Road to Tennessee Lottery. The legislative road to a Tennessee lottery looks like it's getting bumpier. Several amendments are being added to the main lottery bills as they wind their way through various committees. That means a potentially long and loud debate about putting the lottery in place, and who gets its revenue.
- N.J. Man Has Twice the Luck. A Mt. Laurel, New Jersey man has won his second multimillion-dollar lottery in the last seven years.
- PA Man Loses $38,000 In Scam. A man from the West Shore has lost tens of thousands of dollars, paying taxes on a lottery jackpot he'll never see.
- Rainy-day fund based on lottery questioned. A proposal to boost Oregon's rainy day education fund by shuffling lottery dollars has sparked concern among local school board members.
Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 6:10 am – There was no jackpot winner in the Tuesday Mega Millions drawing, but 9 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $175,000 prize: 2 in New Jersey, 1 in Illinois, 2 in New York, 3 in Virginia, and 1 in Washington. For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.
- Tenn. Lottery clears more votes. A House panel voted Tuesday to split unclaimed lottery prize money - projected to average $9 million annually - among all 132 state legislators, who would distribute it to educational projects in their districts. More: House proposal may be unconstitutional.
- New Jersey drops plans for video lottery terminals at racetracks. The McGreevey administration has decided against a proposal to install video lottery machines at racetracks and other locations, according to a state official.
Tuesday, March 25, 2003 - 6:25 am – Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $15 million Big Game Mega Millions drawing results!
- With lawsuit pending, board OKs purchase of site for Lottery. After hearing arguments pro and con for 90 minutes, the state Board of Public Works voted 6-1 Monday to approve the West Virginia Lottery Commission's purchase of a 12.5-acre site in Putnam County for its headquarters.
- Jersey sees win for budget with video lottery. With New Jersey in a deep financial bind, the McGreevey administration sees part of its salvation in video lottery.
Monday, March 24, 2003 - 6:55 am – Powerball Jackpot Grows To $62 Million. There were no Powerball jackpot winners Saturday but 384,843 players across the nation won a total of more than $2.8 million in prizes. Because no one correctly matched all six numbers in Saturday's drawing the jackpot will grow to an estimated $62 million with a cash option of $33.4 million. Five players from Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, and West Virginia correctly matched the 5 white numbers and won $100,000. Players purchased more than 15.4 million tickets between Thursday and Saturday night.
- Despite strong dissent, lottery bill approved. Arguments over the merits of state-run gambling arose in the Senate on Saturday when lawmakers endorsed a bill allowing the Montana Lottery to participate in international lotteries.
- Betting the budget. States are in deep fiscal trouble, and many politicians see gambling as the easy way out.
- National equipment vendors lining up for Tennessee lottery contract bonanza. As the Legislature gets closer to approving a lottery in Tennessee, vendors are gearing up to bid on contracts that will be worth some $200 million over the next seven years.
- Man Wins $39 Million on Las Vegas Slot Machine. A young man visiting America's gambling capital hit pay dirt on Friday -- a world record $39 million on a slot machine.
Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 8:40 am – There was no jackpot winner in the Friday Mega Millions drawing, but 3 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $175,000 prize: 2 in New Jersey and 1 in New York. For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.
Friday, March 21, 2003 - 6:50 am – Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $12 million Big Game Mega Millions drawing results!
- Powerball Jackpot Rolls to $53 Million for Saturday's Drawing. There were no Powerball jackpot winners Wednesday but 306,405 players across the nation won a total of more than $2.6 million in prizes. Because no one correctly matched all six numbers in Wednesday's drawing the jackpot grew to an estimated $53 million (cash option of $29.6 million) - the largest lottery jackpot in the nation. Four players from Minnesota, South Carolina, and Wisconsin (2) correctly matched the 5 white numbers and won $100,000. Players purchased more than 13 million tickets between Sunday and Wednesday.
- Lottery in PA Liquor Stores?. Looking to bolster Pennsylvania Lottery revenue to meet the continuing demands imposed upon it by the PACE and other senior programs, State Senator Robert J. Mellow has introduced a trio of bills.
- Investigation checks on Tomasso ties to lottery. A federal corruption probe of Connecticut Gov. John G. Rowland's administration appears to be widening as investigators review construction contracts the Connecticut Lottery Corporation awarded to a New Britain firm.
- Republicans claim to have votes to alter scholarships. Tennessee GOP legislative leaders want to change the way Democratic leaders want to award scholarships under the state's new lottery by removing a $100,000 cap on family income and giving students attending private colleges as much scholarship money as those going to public universities.
- 'Crystal Lottery' scam claims Bill Gates link. In the latest e-mail scam making the rounds, "Crystal Lottery International" is telling consumers they have won big bucks and must claim their prizes immediately. Of course, such a lottery doesn't exist.
- Lottery ticket worth $35 million sold in Houston. The Houston-area winner of a $35 million Lotto Texas jackpot has 179 days and counting to come out of the high grass and claim the cash.
Thursday, March 20, 2003 Wednesday, March 19, 2003 Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 7:50 am – Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $10 million Big Game Mega Millions drawing results!
- Ohio sets limits on popular Pick 3 and Pick 4 combinations. Traditionally, thousands of Ohioans bet on 3-1-7 in the lottery's Pick 3 game on St. Patrick's Day. To prevent a big loss, lottery computers were programmed to cut off wagers on 3-1-7 if the potential payout on those bets reached $7.5 million.
- Illegal lotteries still popular in South Carolina. More than a year after the South Carolina Educational Lottery began, illegal lotteries continue.
- CT Lawmakers To Debate Adding Keno. Adding keno to Connecticut's state-sponsored gambling mix could eventually bring in as much as $80 million a year in new revenue to the treasury, but opponents say it could turn bars into mini-casinos.
Monday, March 17, 2003 - 8:15 am – Powerball Jackpot Reaches $45 Million. The biggest lottery jackpot in the nation got bigger. Because no one correctly matched all six numbers in Saturday's drawing the jackpot grew to an estimated $45 million, with a cash option of $25 million. Three players from Indiana, Missouri, and South Carolina correctly matched the 5 white numbers and won $100,000. Players purchased more than 14 million tickets between Thursday and Saturday night.
- Two Oklahoma lottery bills appear destined for vote. After being stalled for weeks, Gov. Brad Henry's lottery plan is back on a fast track in the Legislature, setting up a strong possibility the issue could go to a vote late this summer.
- Lauderhill ticket wins $4 million Lotto. One ticket matched all six Florida Lotto numbers to win a jackpot of $4 million, lottery officials said Sunday. More: Florida Lottery Online.
- Smaller lottery jackpots worry Ohio educators. Ohio Lottery profits are running $22 million behind estimates, and that makes battered educators nervous.
- Lottery operator Gtech to buy Interlott. Lottery systems operator Gtech Holdings Corp. on Monday said it agreed to buy Interlott Technologies Inc., a provider of instant ticket vending machines, for about $60 million in cash and stock.
Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 2:55 am – Jackpot Winner! There was one $42 million jackpot winner from New Jersey in the Friday Mega Millions drawing. More details to follow after the winner comes forward to claim their prize.
- Also, one lucky player from New York matched the first 5 numbers for a $175,000 prize. For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.
Friday, March 14, 2003 - 8:15 am – Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $42 million Big Game Mega Millions drawing results!
- Deadline passes for $51M Powerball jackpot. The deadline passed yesterday and no one had stepped forward with the winning ticket for a $51.7 million Powerball jackpot. More:
- FCB lost $125 million CA Lottery account review by a fax. California Lottery officials are today expected to announce that the winning decision on the $125 million ad account hinged on the method used by contenders to deliver their final documents to Lottery headquarters.
Thursday, March 13, 2003 Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 7:20 am – Mega Millions Being Challenged. A state appeals court is considering a lawsuit challenging Ohio's decision to join a multi state lottery. More: Mega Millions Case Returns To Court.
- Florida groups pooling to boost Lotto chances. As Florida's Lotto jackpot climbed to $50 million for tonight's drawing, many are racing to join office pools to increase their chances of beating the odds. More: Florida Lotto has highest jackpot in the US.
- Deadline nears to claim $25 million Powerball prize. A winning Powerball ticket worth $25 million, purchased in Indianapolis before the drawing last Sept. 14, has to be claimed by tomorrow or the jackpot will be lost forever. More: Unclaimed Powerball prize unearths some whoppers.
- OK Lottery vote passes House. Gov. Brad Henry was confident going into the day and members of the House proved him right with a 52-49 vote to send his "Education Lottery" to a vote of the people. The measure now goes to the senate for consideration. More:
- Yet Another Winner in California Lottery. In a surprise move, McCann-Erickson has been selected the winner of the California Lottery's five-year, $125 million creative and media account, pending approval of the lottery commission, the lottery said. More: $125 Million Ad Account Brawl May Not Be Over.
- 2:20 am – There was no jackpot winner in the Tuesday Mega Millions drawing, but 4 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $175,000 prize: 1 in Georgia, 2 in New York, and 1 in Ohio. For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.
Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 6:10 am – Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $35 million Big Game Mega Millions drawing results!
- Oklahoma lottery bill on tap Tuesday. The sponsor of a bill that would send a lottery plan to a statewide vote of the people says the bill will be heard again today.
- Clerk Sells Worthless Lottery Tickets. A Houston store clerk remained behind bars Monday after he is arrested on felony charges accused of redeeming dozens of lottery tickets and then selling the non-winning tickets to unsuspecting customers.
Monday, March 10, 2003 - 6:35 am – Multi-state lotteries again in a horse race. The two biggest multi-state lottery games resumed their race to see which will have the largest jackpot. This weekend, the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots gained $7 million and $6 million respectively.
- Henry Says He Won't Give Up On Lottery. Brad Henry, Oklahoma's new governor, is having a tough time getting state lawmakers to listen to his ideas of a state lottery. More: Five Denominations Ask Governor To Drop Lottery Plan.
- Bill would subject Tenn. lottery board to legislative review. A battle is brewing on a new front in the legislature over a Tennessee state lottery, this one dealing with how the lottery should be governed and overseen by lawmakers. More: Lawmakers should hurry up, pass lottery.
- Some lawmakers say it's time to rein in lottery. Some state lawmakers are proposing to bring the Oregon Lottery under the Legislature's control, frustrated the agency doesn't face the same scrutiny and oversight as other departments.
- Lottery plan: Do it yourself, ATM-style. Gov. Ed Rendell's budget contains $3 million to buy self-service machines that, administration officials hope, will extend the Pennsylvania Lottery's recent sales growth.
- South Dakota ranked second in lottery spending. South Dakota ranks second in the nation in per-capita spending on lottery games, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 4:15 am – There was no jackpot winner in the Friday Mega Millions drawing, but 2 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $175,000 prize: 1 in New Jersey and 1 in Ohio. For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.
Friday, March 7, 2003 Thursday, March 6, 2003 Wednesday, March 5, 2003 Tuesday, March 4, 2003 Monday, March 3, 2003 - 7:05 am – Long, winding road for lottery. Political intrigue and the complexity of the lottery issue in Tennessee have slowed to a crawl the progress of legislation to create a state lottery and fund college scholarships. More:
- New executive director named for TX Lottery. The Texas Lottery Commission approved Reagan Greer, a former Bexar County district clerk, as the agency's executive director.. More:
- Camelot pins hopes for National Lottery revival on 2012 Olympic bid. Camelot, operator of the UK National Lottery, is lobbying the Government to support a bid by London to host the Olympic Games, in the hope that it will help revive Lotto ticket sales.
- Removing official costs state thousands. Lee Moore, the Oregon State Lottery deputy director who thwarted former Gov. John Kitzhaber's attempt to fire him in January, received $90,000 from the state in exchange for his resignation earlier this month.
Saturday, March 1, 2003 - 3:10 am – There was no jackpot winner in the Friday Mega Millions drawing, but 4 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $175,000 prize: 1 in New Jersey, 1 in Massachusetts, 1 in New York, and 1 in Virginia. For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.
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