Lottery Board Cutback Eliminates 50 Jobs

The state Lottery Commission, which once had excess money for operations, cut 50 jobs Wednesday as part of a $59-million, 15%-budget cut this fiscal year to offset sluggish game sales.

The policy-setting board voted 4 to 0 to approve the latest round of nearly $19 million in reductions, effective Jan. 1, including elimination of 50 vacant positions.

None of the agency’s 1,100 workers will be fired but a freeze will continue on the hiring of replacements for departing workers.

It is the first serious cutback in the five-year history of the voter-approved games but is not directly related to the state budget crisis, since lottery administration is funded by up to 16% of ticket sales.

Lottery officials blamed sluggish sales on the flagging economy and the lack of a big jackpot needed to attract players.