The European Lottery Guild is now using Twitter to make the latest up to date lottery information available to users. Winning numbers can be checked and Twitter is accessible from mobile devices and cell phones which means that lottery fans can be instantly informed about winning numbers. The European Lottery Guild offers information and tickets for the British Lotto, El Gordo, the Spanish Lottery, the Irish Lotto, the French Lotto, Euro Millions, the French Lotto, and the German Lotto.

In addition to the European Lottery Guild several European lotteries allow players to see results via Twitter. For example UK lottery players can now follow the National Lottery on Twitter and receive real time lottery results. Several national and state lotteries in the US now allow players to sign up and receive results. Some lotteries send jackpot alerts to inform players of large jackpot draws and some offer advice on picking numbers and links to lottery news and information. Twitter could easily become a lottery player’s best source of lottery news.

In addition to Twitter there are many online lottery services that are designed to help players purchase lottery tickets online. In the US some states allow players to buy lotto tickets online. In Europe players can purchase lottery tickets for foreign lotteries and most European lottery jackpots are tax free unlike those in the United States where taxes can easily amount to half of the jackpot. The ability to purchase online lottery tickets has boosted lottery revenues for several European lotteries. Busy commuters can avoid lines at lottery terminals and buy online lottery tickets from wherever they happen to be. The combination of  computer technology and social networking has made the access of online lottery tickets quick and convenient.

Shakespeare had a criminal record that included burglary, battery and non payment of child support took a lump sum payment of $16.9 million dollars. Shakespeare would purchase lottery tickets regularly in hopes of a big win.
Shakespeare took his winnings and purchased a Rolex watch from a pawn shop, bought a $1 million dollar home in a gated community and also bought a Nissan Altima. Shakespeare repeatedly said that the money would not change him. Shakespeare was besieged with requests for money from relatives and friends. His mother reported that he paid for funerals, lent money to friends to start business and gave $1 million dollars to a person known only as ‘big man.’

Now Shakespeare has vanished and law enforcement authorities fear the worst. Sheriff Grady Judd stated, “There are a lot of odd and bizarre circumstances in this case. We fear and are preparing for the worst. We’re working this case as if it were a homicide.” Shakespeare was approached by DeeDee Moore who said she was interested in writing a book about Shakespeare’s life. She also served as a ‘financial advisor’ for the lottery winner who never graduated from high school.

Records show that Moore’s company American Medical Professionals purchased Shakespeare’s home for $655,000 last January. His mother reported that the last time she saw him was shortly afterward. Police report that Moore began using Shakespeare’s cell phone to text Shakespeare’s friends and relatives in an attempt to make them believe it was Shakespeare trying to contact them. Moore also offered to give away a $200,000 house in exchange for a false report to law enforcement regarding a recent sighting of Shakespeare.

Moore has a history of her own. In 2001 Moore tried to defraud her insurance company saying she had been carjacked and raped. Moore has also been making transactions in Shakespeare’s name. Shakespeare’s mother has been hoping her son is alive and said he had talked about getting away from the numerous requests for money. For a guy that won $30 million dollars Mr. Shakespeare has been certainly having a hard time. The investigation is ongoing. Had Mr. Shakespeare purchased online lottery tickets he probably could have avoided a lot of problems.

A similar Canadian case involving the same kind of lottery fraud had a much different outcome. A Toronto convenience store-owner, Hafiz Malik stole $5.75-million jackpot using the same method used in the Texas case. A group of Canadian lottery players regularly played the same numbers and when a member of the group found out their numbers had won they hired a private investigator which led to Malik. Malik had made several purchases with his ill gotten gains including a 2002 Land Rover, a 2002 Mercedes ML3 and a million dollar home in an upscale neighborhood in Mississauga. Malik was convicted of theft and all of his assets were seized. The legitimate winners were awarded their lottery jackpot including $788,000 in interest.

The state of Kansas has been conducting ‘sting’ operations to prevent this kind of theft by lottery terminal clerks. Law enforcement agents fanned out across the state and presented ‘winning’ tickets at several retail lottery outlets. In five separate cases clerks told the agents the tickets were worthless and then tried to redeem the ‘winning’ lottery tickets. The undercover investigation led to charges of attempted theft and computer crime against five people across the state. Lottery officials across the country advise lottery players to check their own tickets.

Thanks to the internet and modern technology it is now possible in some states to purchase online lottery tickets. Lotto players can check for current results online or from a mobile device. The ability to purchase online lottery tickets is a real convenience for players; no more trips to the lottery retailer and no more standing in long lines. Purchasing online lottery tickets is a quick and easy way to avoid lottery fraud.

Claude Guimond, who is the coach of the newly formed Sagkeeng 69s, said that Kirby Fontaine approached him after the big win and suggested the formation of a hockey team and said he wanted to hold a hockey tournament in memory of his late father. Guimond then put together a hockey team of 19 players ranging in age from 16 to 40. The Fontaines spent about $50,000 to outfit the newly formed team. Guimond, whose son is on the team stated, “The reaction was just everyone was shocked — that he was willing to outfit the team, from top to bottom with top-of-the-line new gear. Everyone was floored.”

Kirby put one condition on team members-they had to be good role models in the community and are required to be drug and alcohol free. About the stipulation Guimond said, “The only thing Kirby asked of the boys was for them to lead a good life. Make good choices. Stay away from the alcohol and drugs, and give your old equipment away.” The Fontaines have also planned other good deeds for the community. They have bought furnished homes for family members and are planning a daycare facility on the reserve. They are also involved with plans for a new youth recreation center. It is heartwarming to see the generosity of these new lottery millionaires.

Since lotteries are games of pure chance anyone can become a winner like the Fontaines. Now many states allow players to purchase online lottery tickets. In addition players can check for the latest lotto results. The ability to make an online lottery purchase is a real convenience for players. Most of these websites have a database of locations where players can purchase lotto tickets. By making an online lottery purchase players can avoid those long lines at lottery retailers. The next lottery millionaire could easily be you!

A recent report revealed that many South Africans smoke vulture brains to bring ‘lottery luck’ and the trend has wildlife experts very worried. For years wildlife experts have warned that African vultures are on the verge of extinction and believe that in 20 to 30 years the birds could be hunted to extinction. Some South Africans smoke dries vulture brains to have a ‘vision’ of future winning lottery numbers. The use of vulture brains is not limited to picking winning lottery numbers. Adherents of this practice believe that smoking vulture brains can boost an exam performance, pick winning horses at the track and lure more customers to a particular business.

The dried brains are rolled into a cigarette and the vapors are inhaled. Johannesburg healer Scelo said in an interview with a British newspaper, “Vultures are scarce. I only have one every three or four months. Everybody asks for the brain. You see things that people can’t see. For lotto, you dream the numbers. We make the brain dry and mix it with mud and you smoke it like a cigarette or a stick. Then the vision comes.” Scelo recommends vulture heads and claims that smoking the brains endows users with the vulture’s excellent vision and allows glimpses into the future. Wildlife advocates have tried to stop the practice but seem to be fighting a losing battle.

Luckily most of us do not have to go to such great lengths to pick winning numbers. Thanks to modern technology players can now buy lotto tickets online. Many states now have websites where players can make an online lottery purchase. Players can also use these sites to check for current winning numbers. There are also many sites that allow players to buy international online lottery tickets. Most European lotteries are tax free unlike their US counterparts. Players can also find out where to buy lottery tickets and find the closest lottery retailer. Thanks to the internet it has never been easier to buy lotto tickets.

The state of New York is the latest state to allow residents to purchase lottery tickets for Mega Millions and Powerball. At the present time New York offers Mega Millions and has announced it will start the sales of Powerball tickets in early 2010. Currently Mega Millions is played in 12 states and Powerball is played in 31 states. The addition of Powerball will give New York residents the opportunity to win one of the many huge Powerball jackpots. The largest Powerball jackpot in 2009 was $259.9 million won in August. Mega Millions also had a huge jackpot in August 2009 totaling $336 million.

Local lottery retailers had mixed opinions about the addition of Powerball. Don Bowles, owner of Don and Paul’s Coffee Shop on Broad Street in Waterford said he does not believe the addition of Powerball will increase ticket sales. Mr. Bowles stated, “I don’t think it will make a difference one way or another. The more they put on, the more people will spread it out. We’re not going to get any more money – that’s all lost in administration, in my opinion.”

Frank LaPosta, of the LaPosta Brothers Market on Speigletown Road in Troy expressed a different opinion and said he believes the addition of Powerball will boost sales at his lottery outlet. Mr. LaPosta stated, “When jackpots were $40 million or $60 million on Lotto, you’d have a little Lotto mania, but now the lottery fever is for $100 million jackpots or more. We used to lose customers to other state that had the Powerball, so it will be good for us. We used to lose customers to other state that had the Powerball, so it will be good for us.” States that allow cross sales are hoping that the ability to purchase lottery tickets for Powerball and Mega Millions will boost lottery revenues. Unfortunately no statistics will be available until Powerball tickets go on sale.

Ramdass and his coworkers pooled their money twice a week to purchase lottery tickets and on June 20, 2007 they pooled $220 and hit the jackpot. According to Ramdass’s coworkers he took a leave of absence and they have not seen him since the big win. In addition Ramdass stopped paying rent and other bills as well. Ramdass’s wife, Donna Campbell a runner up in the 1979 Miss Trinidad and Tobago beauty pageant became suspicious. She said she became suspicious when her husband kept the television turned off and disconnected the phone. Her suspicions increased when she intercepted a postcard about a new house purchase.

Still unaware that her husband was hiding a lucrative secret she Googled her husband’s name and lottery numbers and found a Florida lottery press release naming all 17 winners including her husband. Ms. Campbell confronted her husband who claimed he bought the lottery ticket for his daughter from a previous marriage. Ramdass indicated that he wanted to end the marriage and start over after the big lottery win. There was just one problem with his plan; his wife wanted half of his winnings.

Ramdass solved that problem by disappearing. He has not been seen and Ms. Campbell’s attorney cannot serve him with divorce papers. Ms. Campbell did sue but a Florida judge ruled she was not entitled to any of the winnings. Recently she received an eviction notice and is being forced from her home. Many believe Ramdass has fled the country. The plight of Mrs. Ramdass is not a pleasant one. Mrs. Ramdass may want to consider buying lottery tickets of her own. And if she is smart she will keep it to herself and not say a word to anyone.

The Virginia Lottery has announced that they may make an internet lottery available to residents of Virginia. Recently the Virginia Lottery has experienced a decline in retail lottery ticket sales and the proposed online lottery is one of the solutions put forth be legislators. Should the legislation be successful lottery players would be able to play scratch off games online or with a mobile device or cell phone. Legislators are also discussing the possibility of video lotteries. In many parts of the US virtual horseracing and other games are popular in bars and taverns and Virginia lawmakers are discussing the introduction of these games through the Virginia Lottery.

Virginia Lottery officials pointed out that before any action can be taken to introduce the online lottery games measures must be taken to prevent abuse and underage online gambling. In Virginia online gambling is common despite the Federal law and Virginia receives no revenue from online gaming. The proposal of online Virginia Lottery games may prod Federal legislators to act on Congressman Frank’s bill. Many other states have considered online sales of lottery tickets to boost sales and lottery generated revenue. Virginia’s move may change the legal climate in the US for online lotteries and gaming.

Several states are considering allowing the purchase of online lottery tickets. By giving residents the ability to make an online lottery purchase states hope to increase lottery generated revenues. Players like the idea and surveys show that most lottery players would welcome the ability to purchase online lottery tickets. Offering online lottery tickets would eliminate the need for a trip to a lottery terminal and standing in long lines. Many states are considering offering residents the ability to purchase online lottery tickets from a mobile device in addition to online purchases. Lotteries are rapidly catching up with 21st century technology.

Last year a New York man won $2,000 a week for life in a $5 scratch off lottery game. John Borrel of Graniteville is being sued by a Florida company that is alleging that Borrel did not pay back $10,000 in cash received against his lottery winnings. The lawsuit filed by Encore Funding LLC seeks the original $10,000 plus 18% interest and legal fees which are likely to be considerable. The lawsuit alleges breach of contract and ‘unjust enrichment’ whatever that means. According to the court Borrel, 38, won a minimum of $2 million to be paid in $26,000 quarterly installments. The lottery payouts continue if the winner lives more than two decades.

In October Borrel entered into two separate contracts for cash advances of $5,000 each. Encore’s lawyer said the company and Borrel are working out an agreement where Encore would pay Borrel for a portion of his lottery winnings from 2018 through 2027. In return Borrel would assign the lottery payments to Encore. The agreement also requires spousal consent and Borrel had told the company he is not married.

This situation highlights the difficulties lottery winners can get themselves into by seeking large cash payments financed by a large structured lottery settlement. Any lottery winner considering a similar move should check out all the terms and conditions of any contract or they could easily find themselves involved in a complicated expensive lawsuit. Most financial experts advise lottery winners to see a legitimate financial planner and get competent advice.

When buying lottery tickets players need to consider what actions they would take if they found themselves sudden millionaires. There are plenty of scammers waiting to take advantage of big winners. A good financial planner or adviser is a must. When buying lottery tickets it is always a good idea to plan ahead.