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
751 articles-
How tech-savvy players are shaping the future of the lotteryFrom online tickets to automated services, players are setting the pace. Could this reshape how we all play?
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Can lottery funds keep schools safe and standing in North Carolina?From safety tech to infrastructure fixes, the request shows how essential lottery revenue has become.
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Florida man wins the lottery, then gets jumped before he can celebratePolice say surveillance shows the attacker waiting in the shadows long before the assault.
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8 things lottery players are thankful for in 2025This holiday season, lottery players are counting their blessings from $1B jackpots to funds for schools.
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Could America ever ban post-jackpot moves to tax-free states?Many big winners relocate after hitting it big, but what if your home state claimed your taxes first?
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How a $20K ticket created one of Tampa’s weirdest lottery disputesA loyal friend, a scratcher win, and a pointed memo collided into a messy dismissal. Why?
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How Brazil’s lottery reform could influence U.S. prize poolBrazil’s new revenue split could inspire U.S. lotteries to increase prize funding and rethink how payouts are structured.
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$90M jackpot lifted a lucky player and gave a local store a big boost tooKrish Patel’s store gets a rare $30K reward, adding excitement to a street already buzzing with big wins.
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As states ban online sweeps, are lotteries about to get a sales boost?States cutting off sweeps could push gamers back to lottery tickets. Will that drive a surge in jackpots?
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Georgia Lottery reaches $30B while federal support for schools shrinksThis year's federal rollbacks make the state's latest lottery transfer more important than ever.
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Is the Virgin Islands Lottery showing states a new way to give back?A final payment secured retiree checks, raising the question: Why isn't this system used elsewhere?
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Could a 'fantasy lottery' be the future of play?Blending luck with skill could attract new players, but would it change the game too much?
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How a gas station robbery proved lottery tech never sleepsLottery officials quickly flagged the stolen tickets, showing how thieves get caught faster than they think.
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Why states are urging players to rethink lottery gifts this holidayThis year’s message is louder: early exposure shapes future risks, and states want players to rethink traditions.
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How one jackpot meltdown explains a new trend in lottery planningHis lavish secret life shows why financial counseling is becoming a bigger part of jackpot culture.
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The real reason Iowa wants players excited about scratchers againThis milestone wasn’t just for show, as it hinted at perks aimed at making quick-play games more rewarding.
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Social media post lets friend steal lottery prizeThis incident in China highlights how sharing lottery images can make digital ticket fraud easy.
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Massachusetts breaks record with biggest Lotto.com win to dateA record $2.5M win came from a phone, not a store, showing how digital play is reshaping lottery habits today.
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Colorado Lottery goes online, fueling a fight over the future of playOnline play and credit purchases are now live in Colorado, raising questions about convenience and player risk.
Todd Betzold