The Lotto Matrix: Win Winever, Powers Award, The Mega Megabucks Winner and more

Welcome to this week’s “Lotto Matrix,” a weekly Friday compilation of the lottery industry’s most significant, interesting, or absurd happenings.

Win Winever with Lotto.com

Online lottery courier Lotto.com, which recently went live in its tenth jurisdiction in Arizona, has just launched a brand new collection of online scratch-offs. But this isn’t your average scratch-off experience. Lotto.com’s slogan for the new launch, “Right Place, Right Time. Welcome to Winever,” captures the essence of what they’re offering: the chance to win big from the comfort of your couch, anytime.

With Lotto.com’s digital scratch-offs, you can browse a variety of exciting games, choose the one that sparks your lucky feeling, and then virtually “scratch” your way to potential prizes.

This move not only caters to the growing demand for digital lottery options, but also aims to attract new players to the game. Lotto.com’s “Winever” tagline cleverly emphasizes the flexibility of their platform. Whether you’re stuck in traffic, enjoying your morning coffee, or simply looking for a little excitement, Lotto.com’s digital scratch-offs are there for you, “winever” the urge to win strikes.

Maine Lottery Director Adds New Feather In His Cap

Michael “Mickey” Boardman’s unanimous election as the Lead Director of the Lucky for Life game group marks a significant milestone in his extensive career in the lottery industry. The appointment won’t alter his position as director of the Maine State Lottery.

With over three decades of experience, Boardman’s journey began with notable companies SG and GTECH, where he honed his expertise in lottery operations and management. His tenure at the Maine State Lottery since 2000 has been marked by innovation and growth, reflecting his deep understanding of the lottery’s role in state economics and community engagement.

Lucky for Life is a daily lottery game available in 23 states and which has a top prize of $365,000. It also awards other prizes that range from $3 to $25,000 a year for life.

Boardman’s involvement with Lucky for Life since its launch in 2012 has been instrumental in its evolution from a regional New England game to a game enjoyed by a broader audience. His leadership and strategic vision have been pivotal in navigating the complexities of the lottery industry, ensuring that Lucky for Life remains a reputable and exciting game for its players.

Lottery Burglar Limps His Way To Jail

A distinctive limp was the key clue that led Ohio police to arrest Jeffrey Lee Stanley, who is now accused of breaking into an Ohio Lottery vending machine at a South Bloomfield convenience store.

Early on March 9, South Bloomfield police responded to a theft report at a Circle K on S. Walnut Street. Employees reported that someone had forcibly opened the Ohio Lottery vending machine and stolen the money inside. The night shift employee did not initially notice any thefts but remembered a regular customer making multiple trips into the store during her shift.

Upon investigation, officers discovered that the vending machine had been pried open while the lock remained intact, and the cash box was found empty. With the store manager’s help, investigators reviewed security footage, which showed a white male with a noticeable limp entering the store through the rear entrance around 4:04 a.m. The footage captured the suspect visiting the bathroom before tampering with the lottery machine, purchasing a ticket, and leaving the store.

On March 11, after further review of the footage, officers identified the suspect as Jeffrey Lee Stanley, confirmed by his distinctive limp and presence at the crime scene.

Stanley was supposed to appear in court for the theft charges but failed to do so, leading to an arrest warrant. On July 29, the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office apprehended him on the outstanding warrant. He now faces charges of safecracking, theft, and additional warrant-related offenses and is currently held in the Pickaway County Jail.

The Powers That Be

Jeff Fain, the Instant Products Account Director at Scientific Games, has received the 2024 Powers Award. This accolade, bestowed by the North American State and Provincial Lotteries Association, is a testament to Fain’s dedication to the lottery industry. His nomination by the New Mexico Lottery underscores the significant impact of his contributions to the sector.

Fain’s journey with Scientific Games began in 2012, leveraging his expertise in finance and printed product experience to ascend to a pivotal role at the world’s leading lottery games company. His collaborative approach and dedication to fostering strong customer relationships have been instrumental in the growth and success of instant game portfolios, particularly with the New Mexico Lottery.

The Powers Award, named after Edward J. Powers, known as the ‘Father of U.S. Lotteries,’ is one of the highest honors in the lottery industry. It recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to lotteries and the broader North American lottery industry.

Fain’s receipt of this award highlights his role in driving industry-leading lottery performance, evidenced by Scientific Games’ dominance in the market, with 18 of the Top 20 performing instant game lotteries globally.

Scientific Games, under Fain’s leadership, has continued to innovate, providing retail and digital games, technology, analytics, and services to 150 lotteries across 50 countries. Its commitment to elevating play through enterprise gaming platforms, data analytics, and iLottery solutions has solidified its position as an industry pioneer since 1973.

Pink Slip Story Has Happy Ending

In a twist of fate that sounds like the plot of a feel-good movie, a South Carolina woman experienced a dramatic reversal of fortune. Just a few days after getting a pink slip and losing her job, she struck gold—quite literally—with a Gold Rush scratch-off ticket.

The South Carolina Education Lottery confirmed her win of $300,000, a sum that undoubtedly transformed her circumstances overnight. She plans on using the money to help weather the downturn, as well as to buy a house.

Change Of Scenery

Sometimes, Persistence Pays

A dedicated Megabucks player from Waushara County in Wisconsin recently claimed a $4.3 million prize at the Wisconsin Lottery office.

Richard Kiesner has been participating in the Megabucks lottery since its inception in Wisconsin since it was introduced over 30 years ago. He bought a for the July 17 draw, and it proved to be the best purchase possible.

The winning numbers were 6, 8, 14, 26, 33, and 37.

According to the Wisconsin Lottery, this ticket represents the largest prize awarded by the Wisconsin Lottery in 2024 so far.

Megabucks is exclusively available in Wisconsin and is one of the longest-running games offered by the Wisconsin Lottery. Kiesner’s win marks the second jackpot win in 2024, with a $3.5 million winning ticket sold in February, as per the Wisconsin Lottery.

Megabucks provides two plays for $1, with drawings held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The odds of hitting the jackpot are almost 1 in 7 million.

Double the Excitement

The Michigan Lottery has introduced an exciting twist for Daily 4 players with the launch of the “Double Draw” promotion for the entire month of August. This limited-time event promises to double the excitement and opportunities for participants to win.

Starting from August 4, players will witness an additional drawing after the regular Daily 4 evening draw. The mechanics are simple yet thrilling: a drum containing five white balls and one red ball will determine if a second draw is warranted.

If a white ball is drawn, it’s removed, setting the stage for the next evening’s draw. However, if the red ball makes an appearance, players get a second chance to win in a subsequent Daily 4 drawing. This reset mechanism ensures that the red ball, along with all white balls, are returned to the drum for future draws.

The Daily 4 game itself remains unchanged, offering various play styles like Straight, Boxed, Two-Way, 1-Off, and Wheeled, each with different prize structures. The cost of participation remains at $1 per play.

The “Red Ball Double Draw” promotion is a free addition to the regular game, running from Monday through Saturday, exclusively for the evening drawings. Players can select their numbers manually or opt for a Quick Pick for added convenience.

Best Of The Rest

The ultimate procrastinator: Million-dollar Powerball prize claimed three weeks before expiration date

New Michigan Lottery RG Hotline: Michigan Lottery Transitions to 1-800-GAMBLER for Responsible Gaming Support

Whimsical purchase, big payday: Man wins $1M after buying scratch-off lottery tickets ‘on a whim’

Definitely not spam: Woman learns of $207,199 lottery prize from email in spam folder

Check the prize box and see you next week!