
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
675 articles-
Forgotten Powerball ticket on fridge turns into $20M (AUD) surprise win
A fridge door held their golden ticket while life kept them too busy to notice.
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Five-ball fever: Six states hit jackpot wins in one weekend
Five-ball draws proved their power, with Pennsylvania even doubling up with back-to-back jackpot wins.
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After 50 years of tickets, he finally got a refund worth $100K
After years of near misses, one man’s dedication to gambling paid off with a big lottery win.
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Man charged in scratch-off scam after cashing in hundreds in prize money
Circle K, Publix, and more — he hit several spots before landing behind bars.
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Lottery ticket scam lands Michigan man in jail, $10K restitution
Authorities say over $7,000 in tickets were bought using stolen credit cards before detectives caught him.
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New Hampshire Lottery unveils new Wheel Spin Spectacular game
It’s the first eInstant with a wheel mechanic and player choices, adding a fresh twist to online play.
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Record $6.6B sales push NC Lottery education funds beyond $1B again
From preschool to new campuses, these lottery dollars are shaping the future of education.
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Lottery ticket theft spree in Florida ends in surrender, not jackpot
The suspect thought he had a winning plan until new measures and sharp detectives beat his odds.
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Who won Saturday's $1.79B Powerball jackpot?
The drawing created nearly 10 million winners and helped pump millions into schools.
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The secret power of small lottery prizes
Winning $50 or $100 may seem minor, but it tricks the brain into chasing the next jackpot.
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Powerball jackpot hits $1.8B in longest record-breaking run ever
It's already the second-biggest prize, but could this streak rewrite the Powerball record books?
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Kansas joins Double Play, adding more fun to Powerball tickets
Double Play launches September 22, which offers a second shot at prizes up to $10M.
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Lottery scam suspect arrested 6 years after indictment
Authorities say he used multiple aliases before Postal Inspectors tracked him down.
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Mississippi Lottery pulls new scratch-off over printing problem
Players can still redeem valid wins, while officials gear up to launch a replacement game soon.
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Three states strike it rich with Labor Day Cash 5 jackpots
From $349K to nearly $875K, three lucky tickets turned the holiday into a jackpot.
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Lottery age rules: From no limits in New Zealand to 21+ in other places
Some countries allow 16-year-olds to play, while others ban tickets until 21. Where's the line?
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Undercover lottery sting foils clerk's attempt at fake $1,000 prize
Lottery security planted the decoy, but what investigators say she admitted next is bigger.
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Police name three suspects in wild multi-state lottery ticket heist
Police say the trio swindled stores in at least 10 states using prepaid card tricks.
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Lucky person hits $14.6M jackpot — the biggest Illinois Lotto win of 2025
Crown Mart, the winning retailer, celebrates with a $146,000 bonus and plans to reinvest.
Todd Betzold