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
908 articles-
Have lottery drawings become too frequent?Traditional lottery culture may be fading as younger players look for faster digital experiences.
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$12.8M lottery fight heats up as ex-manager reveals new defenseA new court filing claims employees were forced to buy misprinted tickets, and now six co-workers back the story.
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Could a trashed lottery ticket still be worth £12 million?A U.K. player's incredible claim has sparked an investigation after her ticket was reportedly thrown away by mistake.
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Kansas Lottery sued over alleged illegal sales on tribal landThe tribe wants a judge to halt ticket sales at roughly two dozen locations while the legal fight plays out.
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Happy little scratch-offs? Bob Ross joins the lottery worldThe first-ever licensing agreement could turn one of television's most recognizable artists into a scratch-off star.
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Independence Day means fireworks, cookouts, and giant jackpotsJuly 4th may shut down banks and offices, but lottery players still have nearly $1 billion to chase.
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Megabucks enters the Fourth of July with its largest jackpot everThe jackpot has climbed to $22.25 million, a level longtime players have never seen before.
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State lotteries are joining America's 250th birthday celebrationThe commemorative games are arriving just as July 4th travel and celebrations ramp up.
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Millions in Nebraska Lottery funds are frozen as lawsuit moves forwardA judge ruled the money should stay put until the courts decide who has the right to spend it.
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Fight over $12.8M lottery ticket takes another unexpected turnA customer and a Circle K employee have entered the battle over the unsold jackpot winner.
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Mom wants the Ohio Lottery to block her son's alleged winning payoutShe says the ticket was purchased with her funds and is asking a judge to put the money on hold.
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Worker accused of stealing $32K in Florida Lottery tickets from storeThe alleged scheme involved entire books of scratch-offs over several months before managers noticed.
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New Michigan bill could strengthen protections for playersPlayers wouldn't gain new betting options, but they could gain more certainty.
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Police crack down on separate lottery theft allegationsThe cases involve a Walmart cashier, missing ticket books, and claims of lottery fraud.
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Should states ban credit cards for lottery purchases?Lottery officials call it modernization. Critics say it could make problem gambling worse.
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Would you spot a fake $32M lottery win before it's too late?A Texas woman did, and her experience serves as a warning to other players.
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Police say same scratch-off ticket triggered multiple payoutsAuthorities claim a scratch-off winner was never properly validated before payouts were made.
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Forget lucky numbers, this dog picked a winning ticketWhat started as a chewed-up scratch-off ticket ended with treats and a surprise payday.
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One employee's death exposed a lottery's $18.5M problemAuditors say years of accounting mistakes came to light after a key finance official unexpectedly died.
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Lottery thief caught on camera grabbing thousands in scratchersThe owner says the stolen tickets could be worth anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.
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Colorado Lottery bets big on digital play with new iLottery dealMore convenience could be coming for players as Colorado advances its digital plans.
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Arizona Lottery marks 45 years with new games, bigger jackpots, more drawsFrom Pick 4 to Double Play, the state's lottery lineup is growing in a big way.
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The “best” month to win the lottery? Data tells a curious talePowerball trends suggest timing patterns, but could player habits, not luck, be driving the results?
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Big September change coming to Millionaire for Life prizesThese new rules would make the game's $100,000-a-year prize much harder to keep as a lifetime annuity.
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How high can it go? Megabucks crosses the $20M markThe game has gone over a year without a jackpot winner, fueling a historic run to the third-largest jackpot.
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Three lottery crimes, three states, one warning for playersFrom stolen scratch-offs to a $15,000 scam, recent cases show how lottery schemes take many forms.
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District of Columbia Lottery operator unveils major shakeupAfter a major merger, the company says local jobs and accountability are top priorities.
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Are rising prices finally cooling America's lottery habit?A New Hampshire Lottery official says fuel costs and tighter budgets are showing up at the ticket counter.
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Jackpot chasers have plenty of choices this weekendWith multiple games topping $20 million and two nearing records, players have more chances to win big.
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Rhode Island may be showing the future of the lotteryPlayers are spending less at the counter and more on their phones. Is this where lotteries are headed?
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