Judge rules Mega Millions authorized to operate in California
Thursday, June 08, 2006 posted 11:50 AM EDT
The Mega Millions lottery game is operating legally in California and does not violate the intent of the 1984 voter initiative authorizing the state's lottery, a judge ruled this week.
The Sacramento County Superior Court decision Tuesday was a victory for lottery officials, who had fought to keep the hugely popular Mega Millions in the state.
An antigambling group, California Coalition Against Gambling Expansion, sued the state last July, saying its Lottery Commission overstepped its authority when it voted 3-0 in 2004 to join the multistate game. The group's attorneys argued that the move violated Proposition 37, which requires lottery games to be run solely by the state unless the Legislature approves otherwise.
The group had sought an injunction to stop Californians from participating.
State officials countered that Mega Millions is just like any other state lottery game, and that California retains control over its administration within the state, including how and where tickets are sold.
In his ruling, Judge Lloyd Connelly said the commission did not need legislative approval to join the Mega Millions game.
However, Connelly noted there may be a conflict because California players only have up to six months to claim a prize while players in some other states have up to a year. He gave officials one year to address the issue.
Joan Borucki, acting director of the California Lottery, said in a statement that officials were "very pleased" with the ruling.
Nicholas Roxborough, an attorney for the gambling opponents, did not return an after-hours phone call by The Associated Press late Wednesday.
Since the state joined Mega Millions in June 2005, three of the 10 jackpots have been won by Californians. In November, seven medical workers split a $315 million jackpot, the largest in state history.
Other states that participate in the game are New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia and Washington.
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