Todd Betzold
News writer
Todd is a freelance writer who has always had a love for all things Lottery.
Todd has been creating a variety of content for over 14 years, and his first paid writing job was covering the first season of The Voice! He has always had a love for gambling, whether it was playing poker with his family as a teen or hitting up the casino when he was old enough to get in. Now, he gets to write about it, so even better! Based out of Michigan with his partner and fur baby Luka, Todd enjoys movies, streaming too much Netflix, spending way too much time at the casino, and hoping to be the next billionaire winner of the Powerball or Mega Millions!
- Hometown
- Born in Bay City, Michigan, currently living in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- Education
- Bachelor's degree in Broadcasting and Journalism from Central Michigan University
- Professional work experience
- Todd has been creating a variety of content for over 15 years, and his first paid writing job was to cover the first season of The Voice!
- Certification and awards
- Google Ad Certification
- Languages
- English
In Todd's own words...
What I like about working for Lottery USA
Todd has always had a love for gambling, whether it was playing poker with his family as a teen or hitting up the casino when he was old enough to get in. With Lottery USA, he gets to write about what he loves to do! In addition, Todd is a true crime lover, so he has been able to work his love for crime into covering news stories involving the lottery.
What most excites and intrigues you about the lottery?
Since joining Lottery USA, I have been able to learn a lot more about the different lottery games offered throughout the country. While I was familiar with my in-state games and the big multistate games, learning about what other states offer is an interesting part of the job.
Best run US state lottery?
I am biased here, but I have to say Michigan. We offer great games and a wide variety, so there is something to play on a daily basis, with some pretty good jackpots available for each one.
What’s your most memorable lottery moment?
I'd say one of my most memorable moments was turning 18 and finally being able to buy lottery tickets myself. Walking up to the counter and buying an instant lottery ticket. Of course, not winning on it, but hey, that would have made an even better memory, huh?
What would you do if you won the Powerball jackpot?
If I were to win the Powerball jackpot, I think I would go into hiding for a while and figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I would definitely pay off all my debt. I would give some money to my close friends and family so they can live comfortably. I would then do a lot of traveling, as that is something I have always wanted to do and never been able to do. Where's Todd? Probably on some tropical island, so good luck finding him!
Can you share an interesting fact about yourself?
I used to weigh over 360 pounds! After finally deciding to get my health in order, I lost over 140 pounds. I have successfully been able to maintain that weight loss for the past five years and in October 2024, I ran a half marathon. Needless to say, that race was a little emotional for me, but the hard work and determination paid off for me.
Todd's latest articles
791 articles-
Florida's scratch-off success sends a message to other lotteriesData-driven game design, smart pricing, and player favorites helped push sales past $7 billion in 2025.
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Missouri wants the state lottery to run video lottery machinesLawmakers now want the lottery to step in, regulate machines, and redirect profits to public programs.
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Winning weekend delivers millions in jackpots across five statesFrom a record Fast Play hit to an $8.2M Lotto score, multiple jackpots fell in just days. Did one land near you?
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EZmatch gets its biggest upgrade in years for Florida playersPlayers get a higher minimum win, new prize tiers, and improved chances starting January 30.
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Woman drives into a gas station freezer and goes in for lottery ticketsInvestigators say the driver walked inside like it was just another stop — ice machine damage and all.
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Have you heard about the 80-year-old lottery winner who ran a drug ring?The case involved fake pills, firearms, shell businesses, and a country property hiding in plain sight.
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Stolen lottery tickets help police connect Texas burglariesInvestigators say a suspect used the stolen chainsaw to break into a gas station and steal lottery tickets.
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Judge shuts down lost ticket claim in $394M Mega Millions caseThe real lesson here isn't about lawsuits, but it's about what players should do the moment they buy a ticket.
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Finland's scratchcard gift rule shows how differently the U.S. playsU.S. lotteries preach responsible gifting but still market holiday tickets hard. Finland chose a different path.
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Clients trusted him with taxes, but he spent their money on scratch-offsThe defendant admitted stealing from friends and clients, visiting the same store almost every day.
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A shakeup could be coming to Tennessee Lottery leadershipLawmakers are weighing a long-term plan that would quietly change how the lottery is governed.
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A life-changing lottery prize remains unclaimed in WyomingThe Lucky for Life ticket was sold months ago, and the clock is ticking before this and other big prizes expire.
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Are lottery ads expected to do the impossible?Advertising can't control jackpot sizes, inflation, or player habits. Should ads carry this much blame?
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What TheLotter's New York exit means for players already using the appOrders will stop soon, refunds are coming, and users must act before spring deadlines hit.
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Powerball meets the NFL: New details emerge on multi-state gameThe NFL-inspired lottery game has been in development for years — here's what's finally coming into focus.
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Buying lottery tickets in Nebraska could soon get much fasterSupporters say age checks and convenience could boost sales without compromising safeguards.
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The $115K Florida Lottery ticket was real, but the claim wasn'tInvestigators say a lottery retailer stole a winning Fantasy 5 ticket and sent his nephew to claim the prize.
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A small lottery purchase ignites a big fight over fair playOfficials say tickets must be sold at face value. Are credit card fees on lottery sales legal?
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Are lottery borders blurring with aggressive state marketing?States near lottery-free neighbors push tickets hard. Is this fair play or clever profit chasing?
Todd Betzold