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Lottery News for February, 2004

Saturday, February 28, 2004

 – 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 Illinois and 1 in Virginia.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Friday, February 27, 2004

Winning Powerball lottery ticket in dispute.  An ownership dispute over a winning Powerball lottery ticket worth $200,000 prompted a Grantville, Kansas couple to file a lawsuit against the Kansas Lottery and the Kroger Co. earlier this month.

Thursday, February 26, 2004

 – Powerball Jackpot Reaches $52 Million.  Because no one correctly matched all six numbers in Wednesday's Powerball drawing the jackpot grew to an estimated $52 million, with a cash option of $28.4 million.
 – Rebecca Paul Says Tenn. Lottery Should Reach Funding Goal.  Tennessee Lottery CEO Rebecca Paul said at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday the lottery should reach its goal of raising $88 million for education the first year, and may have some left over for preschool education.

Wednesday, February 25, 2004

GTECH says not linked to scandal in Brazil.  West Greenwich, Rhode Island-based GTECH Holdings Corp., the world's biggest supplier of online lottery systems, said yesterday a Brazilian government aide who was fired amid a probe of campaign finance allegations wasn't involved in extending the company's contract in the country.
 – There was no jackpot winner in the Tuesday Mega Millions drawing, but 3 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $175,000 prize: 1 in Michigan and 2 in New York.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Tuesday, February 24, 2004

Scam sites offer bogus Hong Kong lottery tips.  Websites in mainland China and Taiwan are offering to sell "inside information" on winning Hong Kong lottery numbers -- then vanishing before authorities can catch those behind them.
Final Mega Millions Tally: $239 Million.  When the winner of the U.S. Mega Millions Lottery drawing comes forward they will get $239 million instead of the advertised $230 million Friday top prize.

Monday, February 23, 2004

Indiana lottery player wins $1 million.  An Evansville, Indiana man who won $1,026,000 on a special edition of the "Hoosier Millionaire" show plans to use winnings to pay off his home mortgage.

Saturday, February 21, 2004

 – Jackpot Winner!  There was one $230 million jackpot winner from Virginia in the Friday Mega Millions drawing.  More details to follow after the winner comes forward to claim their prize.
Also, 56 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $175,000 prize: 8 in New Jersey, 3 in Georgia, 5 in Illinois, 4 in Maryland, 3 in Michigan, 18 in New York, 7 in Ohio, 6 in Texas, and 2 in Virginia.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.
 – Be sure to sign up for a Jackpot Alert.  You set the jackpot level, and we'll send you an e-mail when the jackpot reaches that level.  We don't use your e-mail address for anything else, and we don't give it to anyone - it is completely private.

Friday, February 20, 2004

 – We're now about 1 hour from the draw time for the $230 million Mega Millions jackpot.  This is the first site on the Internet to bring you the results.  We will have the results right at 11:00 PM Eastern Time.  Check your tickets carefully.  The Winning Combinations page provides all the different ways your ticket can win.  Answers to other questions can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions page.
 – $230 Million!  Due to larger-than-expected ticket sales, tonight's Mega Millions jackpot has been revised upwards to $230 million!  It is expected that the jackpot will go even higher by the time the drawing takes place tonight at 11:00 PM. Remember, BigGameLottery.com is the only site that brings you the Mega Millions drawing results live as they're drawn.
 – Mega Millions drawings won’t go home until someone wins.  Tonight's $222 million Mega Millions drawing will be broadcast live from Times Square in New York City, and Mega Millions drawings will continue to originate from Times Square until the Mega Millions jackpot is won, according to Michigan Lottery officials.
 – $222 Million Mega Millions Drawing Tonight.  Lottery players from around the world are hoping their numbers come up in tonight's $222 million Mega Millions lottery drawing.  BigGameLottery.com is the only site that brings you the results live as they're drawn.  Check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $222 million Big Game Mega Millions drawing results!
Georgia benefits from huge Mega Millions jackpot.  Georgia lottery players and residents of 10 other states will compete Friday night to win the Mega Millions jackpot, which stands at $222 million - the largest payday in the game's history.
Five charged in Pennsylvania lottery ticket thefts.  A mother and daughter and three other employees of a Scranton, Pennsylvania convenience market stole more than $62,000 last year by taking thousands of instant lottery tickets and cashing in winners, a Lackawanna County detective charged Thursday.
Minnesota Lottery audit finds high costs, no crime.  The Minnesota State Lottery spends more money and provides less to the state than comparable lotteries and should revisit its ties to the St. Paul-based marketing company Media Rare Inc., auditors reported Thursday.

Thursday, February 19, 2004

 – Mega Millions Jackpot Raised to $222 Million.  As of 11:30 a.m. today, lottery officials for the Mega Millions game announced that -- due to solid ticket sales -- the estimated jackpot for Friday, February 20 has been increased to $222 million.
 – $35 Million Powerball Jackpot.  Because no one correctly matched all six numbers in Wednesday's Powerball drawing the jackpot grew to an estimated $35 million, with a cash option of $19.2 million.
Times Square gets Mega ball drop.  The drawing for the $215 million Mega Millions jackpot will be held in Times Square tomorrow, and New York's exuberant lottery celebrity, Yolanda Vega, will announce the winning numbers.
 – Tennessee Lottery selects TV outlets.  The Tennessee Lottery has selected the TV stations that will take part in the launch of Cash 3 on March 1 and the televised Powerball drawings in late spring.
 – Extensive Minnesota lottery probe underway.  Minnesota gambling enforcement agents have begun a sweeping investigation into the Minnesota State Lottery that likely will involve inspecting hundreds of contracts with vendors for any improprieties. It is expected to take months to complete.

Wednesday, February 18, 2004

 – There was no jackpot winner in the Tuesday Mega Millions drawing, but 22 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $175,000 prize: 1 in New Jersey, 5 in Georgia, 1 in Illinois, 1 in Massachusetts, 2 in Michigan, 6 in New York, 1 in Ohio, 4 in Texas, and 1 in Virginia.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Tuesday, February 17, 2004

 – $177 Million Mega Millions Drawing Tonight.  Lottery players from around the world are hoping their numbers come up in tonight's $177 million Mega Millions drawing.  If you haven't yet purchased your tickets, now's the time!  Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $177 million Big Game Mega Millions drawing results.
One in a Mega million.  Tonight at 11, millions of people across the country will hold their breath and allow themselves to imagine their biggest dreams coming true - if only for a few seconds.

Monday, February 16, 2004

 – Powerball Jackpot Grows To $26 Million.  Because no one correctly matched all six numbers in Saturday's Powerball drawing the jackpot grew to an estimated $26 million, with a cash option of $14.5 million.
Woman hits $10 million jackpot at MGM Grand.  Friday, a 49-year-old woman who said she dreamed two weeks ago she would win a lot of money did not let the unlucky Friday the 13th superstition stand in the way of fulfilling her dream at a Megabucks machine at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas.
Disputed Massachusetts lottery ticket is found.  Police have found a missing $20,000 Massachusetts lottery ticket that a college student said was snatched out of her hand by the clerk at the Westborough store where she bought it.
 – Lawmakers busy trying to change Tennessee lottery.  The Tennessee Lottery has been up and running for less than a month, but lawmakers of all persuasions - from avid supporters to consistent opponents - are looking to make changes.

Saturday, February 14, 2004

 – Mega Millions Skyrockets to $177 Million.  The jackpot in the multi-state Mega Millions lottery grew to $177 million Saturday when no tickets matched all 5 numbers and the Mega Ball in the Friday drawing.
 – There was no jackpot winner in the Friday Mega Millions drawing, but 17 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $175,000 prize: 1 in New Jersey, 2 in Georgia, 2 in Massachusetts, 8 in Michigan, 2 in New York, 1 in Ohio, and 1 in Virginia.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Friday, February 13, 2004

 – French Winner Takes First Euro Millions Jackpot.  Friday 13th proved lucky for one French ticketholder, as they scooped the 15 million euro (£10 million or US$19 million) jackpot in the first Euro Millions lottery draw.
 – Euro Millions Launches Tonight.  The first draw of a new European multi-country lottery game which offers jackpots of up to £50m takes place tonight.
 – Founding Official of Maryland State Lottery Dies.  Robert J. Laird, a founding official of the Maryland State Lottery who created some of the early games and directed its marketing and advertising, died of cancer Friday at Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care.  He was 75 and lived in the Wiltondale section of Towson.
 – Nebraska Lottery Director Cleared in Trip.  The Nebraska Lottery director will not face criminal charges over a trip to Greece with his wife, whose expenses were paid by a lottery vendor, the attorney general said Thursday.
S.C. lottery to make more than expected, board says.  The South Carolina lottery should generate $80 million more than the state Board of Economic Advisors expected, and that could help buy school buses, cover scholarship programs or increase public school spending.

Thursday, February 12, 2004

 – Can a lottery win make you happy?.  The first Euro Millions lottery draw takes place on Friday, with the prospect of multi-million pound jackpots.  How do windfall winners come to grips with their newfound wealth - and does it make them happy?
Strongly worded letter sent to lottery director before his death.  After being directed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the state's finance commissioner has worked with the Minnesota State Lottery since last spring to tighten operations, but enough lapses continued that a strongly worded letter was sent to lottery director George Andersen shortly before his death, the Pioneer Press reported.

Wednesday, February 11, 2004

 – Mega Millions jackpot climbs to $150 million.  None of the tickets sold for Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing matched all five lotto numbers and the Mega Ball, increasing the Friday jackpot to $150 million, with a cash option of $89 million.
 – There was no jackpot winner in the Tuesday Mega Millions drawing, but 20 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $175,000 prize: 5 in New Jersey, 1 in Georgia, 1 in Illinois, 1 in Maryland, 2 in Michigan, 3 in New York, 2 in Ohio, 3 in Texas, and 2 in Virginia.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.
 – Lotto winner gives $1M to friend.  Twenty years ago, buddies Funk and Michael Hawryshko promised each other that if one of them ever won the lottery, he'd give the other a million bucks.
 – Tennessee Lottery Brings In $96.5 Million In First Three Weeks.  Starting the Tennessee Lottery 21 days earlier than the original Feb. 10 target date has resulted in approximately $96.5 million in ticket sales in just three weeks, which means nearly $30 million for education programs in the state to date, Lottery officials said Tuesday.
Bill created to clean up Colorado lottery.  Concerned over an audit that found problems with the Colorado Lottery, lawmakers began work Tuesday on a bill that would require ethics training and criminal background checks of all lottery officials, including the governor's appointees.

Tuesday, February 10, 2004

 – $121 Million Mega Millions Drawing Tonight.  Mega Millions players from around the world are waiting to hear the winning numbers tonight for the largest Mega Millions jackpot since December, 2003.
 – Husband, wife both buy winning lottery tickets.  Unbeknownst to each other, Richard and Lois Thomas each bought winning tickets from Kompak King, a convenience store in Parkersburg, for Thursday night's West Virginia Lottery Cash 25 drawing.
 – Tenn. lottery board members get final approval.  The state House on Monday voted to confirm Gov. Phil Bredesen's appointees to the Tennessee Education Lottery Corp.'s board of directors, the final approval required by law.

Monday, February 9, 2004

 – Powerball Jackpot Grows to $13 Million.  Because no one correctly matched all six numbers in Saturday's Powerball drawing the jackpot grew to an estimated $13 million, with a cash option of $7.3 million.
New Mexico students rally against lottery proposal.  Eastern New Mexico University’s student body president, along with student leaders from across the state, are opposed to a change to the state’s lottery scholarship that won approval this week from the Commission on Higher Education.

Saturday, February 7, 2004

 – Mega Millions jackpot increases to $121 million.  The jackpot in the multi-state Mega Millions lottery drawing grew to $121 million Saturday, as none of the tickets sold for Friday's $102 million drawing matched all five lotto numbers and the Mega Ball.
 – There was no jackpot winner in the Friday Mega Millions drawing, but 18 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $175,000 prize: 1 in New Jersey, 1 in Georgia, 2 in Illinois, 1 in Massachusetts, 1 in Maryland, 4 in Michigan, 4 in New York, 2 in Ohio, 1 in Virginia, and 1 in Washington.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Friday, February 6, 2004

 – Nebraska Probing Lottery Official's Trip.  An investigation into the director of the Nebraska Lottery focuses on a trip he and his wife took to Greece that was paid for by a lottery vendor, the attorney general said Thursday.

Thursday, February 5, 2004

Wednesday, February 4, 2004

 – There was no jackpot winner in the Tuesday Mega Millions drawing, but 8 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $175,000 prize: 2 in Illinois, 3 in New York, 1 in Ohio, 1 in Texas, and 1 in Virginia.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.
 – Ohio man wins lottery twice.  Bob Woerner of Zanesville, Ohio won the Dec. 18 drawing of the Buckeye Five with two different tickets bought at two different stores.
 – Mega Millions Jackpot Swells to $102 Million.  The jackpot in the multi-state Mega Millions lottery grew to $102 million Wednesday when none of the tickets sold for Tuesday's $85 million drawing matched all five lotto numbers and the Mega Ball.
GTECH Named Apparent Winning Vendor for Mexico Lottery Contract.  GTECH Corporation has been selected by Pronosticos para la Asistencia Publica (Pronosticos) as the apparent successful vendor to provide equipment and services for a new online lottery system and associated telecommunications network in Mexico under a proposed six-year contract.
 – Ruling taxes lottery winner at higher rate.  An Oregon Lottery jackpot winner is going to have to pay a higher tax rate after a federal appeals court rejected his argument the prize money should be taxed like an investment at the lower capital gains rate.
Alabama man hits Florida Lotto jackpot.  Earl S. Luellen of Foley, Alabama won half of a $7 million jackpot in the Saturday night drawing, according to a statement released by Florida officials Tuesday.
Colorado Lottery contracts not renewed.  The Colorado Department of Revenue will not extend two key Colorado Lottery contracts, choosing instead to seek new bids for advertising and public relations services.

Tuesday, February 3, 2004

 – Interim Minnesota lottery chief named.  The Minnesota Lottery will be temporarily led by Michael Vekich, the former chairman of a state colleges board who was among Gov. Tim Pawlenty's challengers for the Republican nomination in 2002.
Counterfeit lottery tickets in Tennessee.  The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office is working with the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC) to determine how to deal with illegal tickets being circulated throughout Tennessee.

Monday, February 2, 2004

 – Powerball Jackpot Grows To $85 Million.  Because no one correctly matched all six numbers in Saturday's Powerball drawing the jackpot grew to an estimated $85 million, with a cash option of $46 million.
Convenience store's lucky streak continues.  A convenience store where three winning lottery tickets were sold in less than six months is credited with the sale that netted the latest $70 million Lotto Texas jackpot.

Sunday, February 1, 2004

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