Lottery director vows to 'scour' budget for savings
Agency to advertise on social media, sell tickets at claim centers
This article was published February 16, 2012 at 4:13 p.m.
PHOTO BY GAVIN LESNICK
Lottery director Bishop Woosley speaks at an introductory news conference Thursday in Little Rock.
New lottery director talks plans for agency
New lottery director Bishop Woosley addressed the media Thursday in an introductory news conference.
LITTLE ROCK — The new director of the Arkansas Lottery says he will scour the agency's budget for savings while working to increase sales in an effort to exceed last year's money raised for scholarships.
Bishop Woosley, speaking at an introductory news conference five days after he was hired as director, reiterated his intention not to replace two vice presidents who each made about $225,000 a year under former director Ernie Passailaigue.
Woosley also said the agency will soon start using social media, including Twitter and Facebook, to advertise and will begin selling tickets at its claim centers in Jonesboro, Camden and Springdale.
"Hopefully that will offset some of the expenses of the claim centers," Woosley said of the latter move. "We don't expect it to totally offset, but we do expect it will help. And that's a start."
Woosley said he wouldn't want to close the claim centers because each has a lease for four more years and provides a service for players who may be a lengthy drive from Little Rock.
Woosley said he wants to exceed the $94.2 million raised for scholarships last fiscal year, adding that February has been good so far. Fueled in large part by a $325 million Powerball jackpot, the lottery this month posted its highest sales week ever, selling $13.8 million in tickets.
"That's pretty exciting and we hope the rest of February and March and April and May will continue along those lines," Woosley said.
Comments on: Lottery director vows to 'scour' budget for savings
To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Read our Terms of Use policy.
You must login to make comments.