Travel by Missouri Lottery employees under scrutiny

Comment #10

Scratch$ — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 16:24:08 GMT

How were you able to determine that it's one of the best run lotteries in the country? You've examined the internal workings, books, expense reports etc. of exactly how many state lotteries

Comment #9

Scratch$ — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 16:12:25 GMT

I think they should examine more than just the airline expenses. Take a look at hotel, meal, and other expenses also. Are they staying at 4-star hotels or someplace reasonably priced like Holiday Inn Express? Are they eating at expensive gourmet restaurants or places like Denny's? Is the Lottery picking up the tab for car rentals? Auditors need to be asking a whole bunch of questions.

Comment #8

atoz — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 15:09:40 GMT

In my opinion I have found the Missouri Lottery probably one of the best run operations of most states. They seem to have one of the highest payouts on pick 3 and pick 4. They seem to come up with new games for the public. I see nothing wrong with attending other events to learn and pick up new ideas or whatever.

There adminastrative expense were in line.... I think you all look for something to complain about. The only thing i would like to see Missouri do is go back to the blown balls for t... [ More ]

Comment #7

sully16 — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 17:02:37 GMT

Never ends, someone always has to take advantage.

Comment #6

Stack47 — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 21:45:28 GMT

Reardon told a Missouri House committee last week that the lottery's payment to education wasn't as high as expected because of factors beyond the agency's control. For example, the most profitable game is Powerball, which had fewer large jackpots last year, depressing sales.

Assuming they're talking about the fiscal year 2013 (July to June 2014) there were two huge PB jackpots, both over $400 million. But apparently none of the other jackpots sparked a jackpot frenzy. If the Missouri legisla... [ More ]

Comment #5

lejardin — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 19:00:41 GMT

That shortfall is exactly what stuck out to me too.

Comment #4

noise-gate — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 15:28:18 GMT

One of the Popular destinations was

VEGAS....Baby!

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas ..that's their motto.

Comment #3

Tialuvslotto — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:42:14 GMT

This is what government employees do with our money. Travel will drop off for a while since its in the headlines, but then it will start to creep back up again.

259,762 lottery tickets had to be sold at a dollar each to fund that travel, money that was no longer available for prizes or funding the education system.

That said, you can't explain a $21 Million shortfall with $130K of silly travel expenses. I wonder where the BIG bucks are going

Comment #2

Green Onion$ — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:11:42 GMT

Smells fishy...

Comment #1

LottoMetro — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:09:16 GMT

Traveling lottery officials is very common and nice to see an article draw this to attention. I know there are some directors who spend more than half their time giving presentations or attending these 'development' seminars. Makes me wonder why they are director, if they are never at the commission to direct operations

Travel by Missouri Lottery employees under scrutiny

Lottery Post — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 12:48:16 GMT

Nine Missouri Lottery employees took a state-paid trip to Orlando, Fla., in July 2012 to attend a professional development seminar.

It wasn't the only time lottery employees traveled to the Sunshine State. During the last three years, officials have logged a total of 20 trips to central Florida. Other popular destinations included New York, San Diego, Chicago, Washington, Atlanta, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Providence, R.I.

The out-of-state travel which has cost the lottery $129,881 and a... [ More ]