Lottery Board Cutback Eliminates 50 Jobs
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SACRAMENTO — The state Lottery Commission, which once had excess money for operations, cut 50 jobs Wednesday as part of a $59-million, 15%-budget cut this fiscal year to offset sluggish game sales.
The policy-setting board voted 4 to 0 to approve the latest round of nearly $19 million in reductions, effective Jan. 1, including elimination of 50 vacant positions.
None of the agency’s 1,100 workers will be fired but a freeze will continue on the hiring of replacements for departing workers.
It is the first serious cutback in the five-year history of the voter-approved games but is not directly related to the state budget crisis, since lottery administration is funded by up to 16% of ticket sales.
Lottery officials blamed sluggish sales on the flagging economy and the lack of a big jackpot needed to attract players.
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