No Banks Bid To Be Ark. Lotto Claims Centers

Arkansas Lottery Director Ernie Passailaigue said that no banks had bid by Tuesday's deadline to serve as regional claims centers. Passailaigue had proposed contracting with banks in three regions to help save the games more than $330,000 annually.

Passailaigue said the lottery is now looking at operating three claims centers, in Springdale, Jonesboro and Warren. The centers will validate claims between $500 and $200,000. Retailers are required to validate claims up to $500.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)