JEFFERSON CITY — The director of the Missouri Lottery is on his way out.
Executive Director Larry Jansen said Monday that he was resigning in response to the Lottery Commission's interest in changing the agency's direction.
Lottery sales fell nearly 3 percent last fiscal year after peaking at almost $1 billion in 2008. Gov. Jay Nixon's administration has cited a continued decline in Lottery sales as a reason for cuts to Missouri's online school and some other educational programs that depend on its proceeds.
Lottery Commission Chairman Kevin Roberts says the agency needs to explore all possible ways of increasing its revenues.
Jansen served as director the last four years and has been with the Lottery since 1985.
Sounds like the Lottery Commission asked for the Lottery Directors resignation for circumstances outside his control.
When he says he resigned in response to the Lottery Commission's interest in "changing direction," I hope the direction was to a true drawing with the ball system instead of the computers.
This would be a perfect opportunity for Missouri to show the rest of the computer states that the ball system instills more confidence in the games and will increase revenues.
Hey Missouri, just do it! Maybe Tennessee will get the message too.
My gosh, I hope you're right. Great comment.
Good, now maybe we can start winning some money again.
DITTO!
Hello:
How is this? When more people are playing the lottery due to the economy?
Something isn't right with this situation.
What's the lock out on the pick 4?
I know the lockout on Pick 3 is $2 million, the pick 3 is drawn 2 times a day, so, on,
August 8th, 2008, both draws for both games were locked out?
Just on the pick 3 alone, they collected, $2 million dollars, in one day? Because, they locked it out, due to the liability limit being, $2 million.
Makes you wonder?
I can't see him resigning over ball draws. It probably has more to do with adding MegaMillions.
All states have liability limits on their daily games. They stop selling when the payout liability is at $2 million - it does not mean they collected that much. It's to prevent a massive payout if a certain number were to come up.
And most states are reporting a drop in sales - people are playing less, not more.
I hear you, but we can hope. Computerized drawings are the most reviled feature of those states that have them, at least among the players who have expressed their opinions here.