Category Archives: Lottery

MUSL to debut new Powerball Draw Show

As businesses across every industry have been adapting to survive amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) is taking a look at their own businesses practices to chart out their latest approach for keeping the Powerball game in the minds of lottery players across the nation.Powerball, Broadcast, Television, Multi-State Game, MUSL

New blockchain-based gaming solutions will drive transparency

An initiative is underway in the state of Colorado that has serious implications for the expansion of blockchain adoption, as well as the gaming industry. Chainlink teamed up recently with the state and other entities to launch a new hackathon that is expected to lead to the creation of a new lottery game for the state, with $17,500 in prize money up for grabs, as well as another $8,500 in “Web3” bonus prizes. Colorado believes the new endeavor will help it generate substantial revenue that will help it reach its annual $1-billion funding goal. 

It should be pointed out that the hackathon, dubbed GameJam, has already run its course, ending on August 9. It involved Chainlink, gaming operator IGT, the state and ETHDenver, and follows the state’s plans of becoming an innovation hub. According to Colorado Governor Jared Polis, “Last year we launched Colorado Digital Services to begin developing critical public-private technology relationships to position our state government as a tech leader, but more importantly to better serve our population through technology.”

While the program doesn’t target development of games on a blockchain specifically, that ultimately is what is happening. The transition from conventional gaming and lottery alternatives to blockchain-based solutions already began, and has been propelled further by the onset of the coronavirus. Blockchain can offer better transparency and legitimacy, which will always serve to draw larger participation on the part of consumers, while reducing the need for human interaction – something that has become a hot topic during the pandemic. 

Another benefit to a blockchain-based gaming solution is the fact that it can be completely tailored to regional requirements, regulations and laws and, since the data is stored on the public chain, every aspect of it can be monitored at any time to ensure compliance. This is a characteristic that no existing non-blockchain alternative can offer, as has already been evidenced by numerous fraud allegations focusing on mega-lotteries and scratch-off, instant-win lottery options. 

Self-dubbed ‘lottery lawyer’ indicted for defrauding US jackpot winners

A self-proclaimed ‘Lottery Lawyer’ has been indicted for defrauding US lottery winners out of $107m with the help of a some alleged mob associates.

On Tuesday, the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced the indictment of Jason ‘Jay’ Kurland, Christopher Chierchio, Francis Smookler and Frangesco Russo on charges of wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy.

Kurland’s New York law firm represented lottery winners with total winnings of around $3b, advising them on how to safely invest their windfalls. In reality, Kurland steered his clients’ cash into entities and deals controlled and directed by his co-accused, for which he received kickbacks that weren’t disclosed to his lottery clients.

Kurland (pictured) would occasionally funnel a portion of his clients’ funds back to them as ‘interest payments’ on their investments although the bulk of the ‘invested’ funds were ultimately lost. Much of it went to fund the defendants’ lavish lifestyles, including private jets, luxury vehicles, two yachts and pricey vacations.