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TheLotter US will be suspending its operations in New York, as the company says it is continuing to streamline its activities and focus on expanding services across other U.S. states.
They state this is part of its long-term growth strategy and will continue to offer lottery courier services in Arizona, Oregon, and Minnesota, while aiming to strengthen its presence in these markets while preparing for additional state launches.
It was just last year when the company was awarded a license by the New York Gaming Commission which saw them launch in the Big Apple. The US Head of Marketing, Jessica Griggs, described the latest announcement as being a “difficult decision” but says it’ll help the company to better allocate resources and support its nationwide expansion strategy.
Decision to suspend TheLotter operations in New York described as a “difficult” one
This state isn’t the first to see TheLotter’s operations suspended either, as the company announced the same move in November of 2025 in New Jersey.
“While we are proud to have served players in New York, this strategic shift enables us to focus on markets where we can grow more efficiently and deliver the best possible experience,” Griggs explains. “By concentrating our efforts, we’re positioning ourselves for sustainable expansion across the country.”
The final date for accepting orders on TheLotter’s New York site will be January 29, 2026, with any existing orders, Multi-Draw packages, or draws from a Subscription scheduled after that date to be canceled and fully refunded.
Those that are registered on the site, within the state, have already been informed of the changes and informed that they can withdraw any remaining account funds through April 29, 2026. Any players who miss the deadline will be able to contact the company’s customer service team for further assistance.
Despite these changes, the company states it is optimistic about its future in the United States and it has just launched a new website, with the aim of supporting growth and boosting the player experience.
Featured Image: Via TheLotter site
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Georgianna M. Carter, the former Vice President of Point Marion’s parks committee and former Powerball winner, has been accused of stealing more than $73,000 from her borough allegedly to support gambling-related activity, according to investigators.
Carter, who was the co-winner of the $30.6 million Powerball jackpot over 25 years ago, was officially charged with theft after Fayette County detectives in Pennsylvania noticed that she had made several withdrawals from the bank account of the Point Marion Borough Park Commission’s bank account.
Investigators allege the withdrawals occurred over a 16-month period after Carter joined the board in April 2021, with Mayor Carl Ables Jr noticing the money was starting to go missing in August 2022.
After invoices for the annual Point Marion Regatta had gone unpaid, Ables found several illegitimate payments and took this information to the Police Department.
The Point Marion case went unresolved for three years
Despite court documents indicating Carter acknowledged taking more than $73,000, she wasn’t charged at the time, as she had been removed from the commission.
No charges were filed at the time, and the case remained inactive for several years.
Three years on, new Fayette County District Attorney Michael Aubele subsequently met with officials last year to discuss the matter.
“We played catch up and were able to file the charges we did,” Aubele said. “We never gave up on it.”
This led to Detective Steven Kontaxes and an FBI agent interviewing Carter in August 2025. She claimed her boyfriend had paid back the money taken from the bank account, but it was later found out that only $17,000 was paid.
Aubele said investigators were ‘flabbergasted,’ given Carter’s past lottery winnings, that she reported being unable to make full restitution.
She was charged by District Judge Daniel Shimshock on counts of theft and access device fraud. Furthermore, she was also charged with one misdemeanor of misapplying government funds.
In a Facebook statement, Carter acknowledges wrongdoing and expresses remorse as she faces theft-related charges. Credit: Georgianna Carter via Facebook
In a public Facebook post, Carter acknowledged wrongdoing and expressed remorse, apologizing to her family and community. “I have embarrassed myself, my family and my community and for that, I will never be able to apologize enough in this lifetime,” she wrote. In the same post, she criticized what she described as harassment and false allegations and asked for privacy.
Carter is due back for her hearing on February 25, as she is currently free on a $50,000 bond at the moment.
Featured Image: Pennsylvania Lottery via press release
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The League of Ireland is set to introduce a brand new gambling awareness program for soccer players to educate clubs on the impact and harm of gambling. It follows the Professional Footballers Association Canada announcing a similar preventative training program in December 2025.
Around 2,000 players will benefit from the educational program, which will be run by EPIC Global Solutions, and this will begin at the end of January.
In total, 70 face-to-face sessions will be run across a three-year period, and it won’t just be players receiving the benefits, with coaches, match officials, and even FAI staff having access to the program.
The sessions will be conducted by former soccer players who have experienced some form of gambling issues in the past.
Names include Marc Williams, former Irish U21 player Scott Davies and ex-Scotland international Dominic Matteo.

The League of Ireland has announced the rollout of an educational programme to proactively lead on the prevention of gambling harm in Irish football with support provided by EPIC Global Solutions.
Read more here – https://t.co/uwMrhMXHFZ pic.twitter.com/6iE3BxI7rN
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) January 19, 2026

“As the League of Ireland grows each year, it is very important to work with all stakeholders, including our players and match officials at the centre of the game, to stress the importance of integrity at all levels,” said Mark Scanlon, League of Ireland Director in a press release.
“This partnership with EPIC also means we can also look to prevent potential gambling harm amongst our players.
“We know the vast majority of people gamble without an issue. But the seminars at our Academy clubs will be hugely beneficial and educate for the next generation of Irish footballers. We have seen the work that EPIC is doing with the English Football League and it’s having a measurable impact. We look forward to seeing that replicated in the League of Ireland.”
EPIC to continue gambling harm prevention
EPIC Global Solutions is funded by Flutter and the company supported their first official launch in the world of gambling harm prevention back in 2017.
Alongside Sky Bet and the EFL, EPIC’s launch in partnership with these two brands ensured professional soccer players could receive education into the world of gambling and reducing the harm it may cause.
After eight years, more than 10,000 players have attended sessions by EPIC, and now the League of Ireland will get the benefit of the program.
Across the 70 sessions, 20 men’s teams, 12 women’s teams, 26 academies, ten women’s development league sides, officials and staff will be included each year.
“This three-year partnership with EPIC and the League of Ireland is about safeguarding the future of our game. By delivering gambling awareness training to both male and female players at senior and academy level, we are ensuring that education and support reaches every player, regardless of where they are in their career.” Added Stephen McGuiness, the General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association.
Featured image: League of Ireland
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A new YouGov survey has looked into whether celebrity endorsements actually move the needle for gambling brands, with just under half of gamblers (46%) saying this approach makes gambling brands “appear less authentic.”
While perception may be altered for some, 42% of gamblers in the United States say seeing a celebrity in a gambling ad makes them view the brand positively. 14% say it makes them view the brand very positively.

A new @YouGov survey suggests that celebrity endorsements of gambling brands don’t do much for the average American, and prompt a mixed response from U.S. gamblers.
“…may help gambling brands stand out … but they may not guarantee a shift in brand perception or behavior.” pic.twitter.com/foW4bDvFue
— Geoff Zochodne (@GeoffZochodne) January 21, 2026

Mixed feelings are prevalent throughout the majority of the survey, but one thing for sure is that only about a tenth of both gamblers (10%) and the general population (12%) indicate they would view a gambling brand negatively for featuring a well-known personality in an advert.
Celebrity-led gambling endorsements: Do they move people to act?
As for whether a company utilizes a celebrity’s stardom to make a difference, more than four in 10 gamblers say they’re more likely to consider gambling with a brand that features celebrities (14% ‘very likely,’ 28% ‘fairly likely.)
However, not everyone is convinced as 48% say they’re ‘not very likely’ or ‘not at all likely’ to be influenced by this kind of marketing.
It is a common approach used by brands, with several bringing in top athletes or stars into their advertisements. Drake, for example, is often seen sharing videos or images with Stake branding. Just last month, he shared on social media that there will be three livestreams back-to-back, with the Stake logo prominent in the content.
Other companies, like FanDuel, have even expanded their brand ambassadors to the influencer world. In October, the online gaming company announced the casino streaming influencer Lady Luck HQ would be joining its roster.
The actual type of celebrity can alter perceptions too, with professional athletes (41%) and gambling professionals (41%) viewed as the most suitable brand ambassador, according to gamblers.
“Actors (38%) and musicians or comedians (34%) follow closely behind. Reality TV stars are seen as least appropriate: just 28% of gamblers say they are a good fit, while 40% say they are not,” YouGov explains.
Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram
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Self-professed gambling addict Timothy McCormack received a two-year prison sentence for his part in the NBA gambling scandal.
As such, he becomes the first person to be jailed in connection with the scheme, which involves NBA players Terry Rozier and Jontay Porter.
According to ESPN, Brooklyn Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall delivered the sentence, although it falls below the four-year term that the government expected.
“He has an addiction,” said DeArcy Hall. “I don’t believe the conduct Mr. McCormack engaged in defines him.”
“There is no question this is a serious crime. Sports matters to me as an individual, as it should to society.”
In a sentencing memorandum filed in November 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice urged Judge DeArcy Hall to impose a prison term of between 41 and 51 months under federal sentencing guidelines, arguing that McCormack’s conduct struck at the integrity of professional sports and required both specific and general deterrence.
Prosecutors detailed how McCormack exploited non-public information to place targeted proposition bets with multiple sportsbooks, describing the scheme as deliberate, sustained, and financially motivated rather than impulsive gambling behavior. The court ultimately imposed a lesser sentence, while still acknowledging the seriousness of the offense.
McCormack was involved in defrauding sportsbooks to place profitable wagers linked to the performances of both Rozier and Porter by using information that wasn’t public.
“I’ve struggled with a gambling addiction for more than half my life,” admitted McCormack following his sentencing.
Terry Rozier and Jontay Porter are still awaiting sentencing
Rozier pleaded not guilty to his part in the scandal back in December, and he was released on a $3 million bail.
The two federal counts, which are aimed at the Miami Heat player – who has been suspended by his team – are conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The game in question was back in March 2023, when he left the court early while playing for the Charlotte Hornets.
He won’t be back in court until March at the earliest. Porter has been banned by the NBA indefinitely following his part in the scandal.
During his spell with the Toronto Raptors, Porter was found to have deliberately underperformed across two games for his team, leading to his ban from the league.
He did plead guilty in 2024, but the 26-year-old is awaiting sentencing.
Featured Image: NBA / Canva
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