News Brief: Thomson Confirmed AZ Lottery Director, Plus Lottery Legislation & Certifications
Arizona Senate confirms Alec Thomson as Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery. Thomson, appointed by Governor Katie Hobbs, now officially leads the Lottery, emphasizing service and innovation in his new role.
Hoosier Lottery marks its 35th anniversary with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, sponsoring events across Indiana, including the greening of the canal, a downtown block party, and a Shamrock Run giveaway for a trip to Dublin.
Maryland and Mississippi move to ban sweepstakes gaming, advancing bills that would outlaw online casino-style sweepstakes. Mississippi’s legislation also includes a provision to legalize online sports betting, complicating its path forward.
Texas Lottery investigates retailers tied to courier services, issuing compliance notices to eight retailers. Some have surrendered licenses or cut ties, as the lottery moves toward banning retailer-courier partnerships.
Virginia lawmakers approve bill lowering lottery winner disclosure threshold from $10 million to $1 million, increasing privacy protections. The bill now awaits the governor’s decision.
Zsófia Bánhegyi, Commercial Director of Szerencsejáték Zrt., is a finalist for the European Marketer of the Year 2025 award. The winner will be announced at the MII gala in Dublin on May 22.
Svenska Spel promotes Am?ni Radwan to CFO, succeeding Eva Stoppel in July. Currently head of group finance, Radwan will focus on business development and strategic growth in her new role.
Scientific Games earns re-certification for the World Lottery Association’s Responsible Gaming Framework, reinforcing its commitment to ethical gaming and harm minimization. The company’s Healthy Play program continues to provide lotteries with science-backed tools to promote responsible play.
IGT Lottery secures European Lotteries Responsible Gaming Certification for the sixth time and achieves WLA Level 4 certification, the highest standard. The recertification affirms IGT’s commitment to player protection and responsible gaming practices.
Smartplay appoints Kelly Kleinfelder as VP of Technology and Production, bringing over 25 years of IT leadership experience. Kleinfelder will drive digital transformation and innovation to enhance Smartplay’s lottery and gaming solutions.