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
976 articles-
He tried to cash a €10M scratch-off. There was just one problemA man allegedly showed up with a taped-together ticket and a jackpot claim twice the game's top prize.
Todd Betzold
-
Hoosier Lottery and Walgreens team up for a retail firstThe first state lottery deal brings scratch-offs, Fast Play, and draw games to nearly all Walgreens in Indiana.
Todd Betzold
-
A little lottery research led to a $1M surprise for a Michigan womanHer husband doubted the game's two remaining top prizes were still out there. She quickly proved otherwise.
Todd Betzold
-
He felt lucky enough to buy 50 identical tickets. Was he right?The South Carolina player put his faith in four numbers and watched each ticket turn into a $5,000 winner.
Todd Betzold
-
$6.14M Lotto America jackpot leads 4 big lottery wins this weekendFlorida, Wisconsin, and Wyoming also had big winners, including one lucky prize that will pay $100K for life.
Todd Betzold
-
More than $800M is up for grabs in this weekend's biggest lottery jackpotsPowerball has reached $440 million, while California, New Jersey, and New York add even more to the mix.
Todd Betzold
-
Iowa Lottery is moving its headquarters. Here's what players need to knowWinners will have a new place to claim prizes as the lottery prepares to leave its longtime Clive location.
Todd Betzold
-
Arizona Lottery just made claiming a big prize easier for these winnersNew weekday rules at the Kingman Claim Center mean more winners can collect their money closer to home.
Todd Betzold
-
Michigan Lottery's new scratch-off packs 50 chances to win up to $6MThe new game offers three $6 million jackpots and more than $290 million in prizes starting today.
Todd Betzold
-
Powerball ticket dispute is back — and now $100M are on the lineJohn Cheeks filed a new federal lawsuit after numbers matching his ticket appeared online because of an error.
Todd Betzold
-
Your old lottery tickets could be worth more than you thinkFrom infamous drawings to unusual scratch-offs, collectors are giving some supposedly worthless tickets a second life.
Todd Betzold
-
Weekend lottery jackpots are heating up with over $650M on the linePowerball and Mega Millions combine for $660 million as one state game quietly climbs to $58 million.
Todd Betzold
-
$3,200 lottery win allegedly ends in deadly parking lot disputeProsecutors say a fight over the prize escalated before a 75-year-old man was struck and killed by a car.
Todd Betzold
-
These lottery tickets were worth millions — now the winners are cashing inA Lotto 47 surprise, Mega Millions multiplier, and Texas jackpot headline the latest round of big-money claims.
Todd Betzold
-
Jackpot Triple Play just got a $1 million upgrade in FloridaThe Florida Lottery raised the game's jackpot ceiling while keeping its price, play style, and odds intact.
Todd Betzold
-
$95M Texas lottery controversy debate continuesThe company denies wrongdoing, but lawmakers are raising questions as a new lottery contract hangs in the balance.
Todd Betzold
-
One Florida Lotto ticket just turned into $10.75 millionOne ticket matched all six numbers Saturday night, leaving one big question: Who is holding the winning slip?
Todd Betzold
-
Should lottery tickets be sold at self-checkout lanes?A growing number of jurisdictions are experimenting with a very different way to buy tickets.
Todd Betzold
-
Lottery players may dodge a controversial new tax rule after allA House committee voted 38-5 to change the rule, which could prevent gamblers from paying on “phantom” income.
Todd Betzold
-
$1.35B lottery winner loses court fight to keep his identity secretHe sued over an alleged NDA breach, but that legal battle could now expose the very secret he wanted protected.
Todd Betzold
-
"Disbelief and shock": $1.04B Powerball winner steps forward in IllinoisThe player chose a lump-sum payout after scoring the state's second-largest lottery prize ever.
Todd Betzold
-
Powerball X's & O's crowns 39,000 winners in its first-ever drawingThe jackpot survived Sunday's debut, while 19 tickets came within just one NFL team logo of taking it home.
Todd Betzold
-
Feeling lucky? Here are the biggest lottery jackpots this weekendTwo national games top $200 million, but don't overlook the state jackpots offering their own huge paydays.
Todd Betzold
-
Lottery retailer tells customer $1,000 winning ticket is worth just $5Officials say the store owner handed over $5, kept the winning ticket, and soon had investigators at his door.
Todd Betzold
-
North Carolina Lottery players get a bigger slice of every dollarPrize payouts have soared in just two years, but that player-friendly shift comes with a major trade-off.
Todd Betzold
-
Record-breaking $29.71M Megabucks jackpot finally has a winnerThe game's historic run finally came to a close Monday when a single ticket matched all six numbers.
Todd Betzold
-
Will lottery drawings still happen on Labor Day? What to knowMonday is a federal holiday, but your favorite lottery game may still have winning numbers on the way.
Todd Betzold
-
Woman admits to lottery scam. Now she has to pay the store backA Texas woman admitted to the fraudulent activity, prompting a judge to order restitution to Casey's.
Todd Betzold
-
Michigan woman faces three lottery fraud charges in South CarolinaAuthorities say the case involves stolen scratch-offs, several locations, and video evidence from a 2025 scheme.
Todd Betzold
-
Lottery raffle season is heating up with $1 million prizes on the wayFrom Kansas to Pennsylvania, raffles are returning with million-dollar prizes and some unusually good odds.
Todd Betzold