Lottery chief to explain shortfalls

I can't wait to hear this.

A Texas lottery chief is expected to detail today why the state advertised an $8 million jackpot this month when available prize money fell short by more than $1 million.

The error, also slated for legislative scrutiny, was followed last week by the firing of Lee Daviney, the commission's director of financial administration. Commission spokesman Bobby Heith declined to discuss Daviney's departure, calling it a personnel matter.

Heith said Daviney on June 3 signed off on declaring an $8 million jackpot for the June 8 Lotto Texas drawing, but later the same day expressed concern to colleagues that ticket sales would fall short of yielding that much prize money.

[...]

Reagan Greer, executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission, has remained silent since the commission conceded after the drawing that the jackpot ran $1.3 million to $1.5 million short of the advertised amount.

But Greer might be asked to explain a recent breakdown in the Pick 3 game at the Lottery Commission's meeting, scheduled for 8 a.m. today at its Sixth Street headquarters. The commission suspended ticket sales for the game June 16, citing "computer code" problems. Sales resumed the next morning, Heith said. An investigation of contractor Gtech Corp. continues.

[...]

State Rep. Kino Flores, D-Palmview, has called a hearing Wednesday to explore the jackpot and Pick 3 concerns.

An agenda drafted for the House Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures, which Flores heads, covers more than a dozen topics, including previous instances when jackpots ran below advertised amounts and whether rising gas prices have affected ticket sales.

Flores said the committee also might inquire into price-fixing charges leveled in 2002 by an Austin businessman against a Nevada company that manufactures electronic bingo machines used by Texas charities to raise money.

Go for it, Kino. Make something good come out of this session. Stay tuned.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on June 24, 2005 to Jackpot! | TrackBack