Lottery Receives Naspl Awards; Awards Highlight The Best Of Lotteries Throughout North America

West Virginia Lottery won three prestigious awards at the North American Association of State & Provincial Lotteries convention held last week in Oklahoma.

Receiving the coveted Powers award was John Melton, Managing General Counsel. Referring to Melton as part of the Lottery’s foundation, Lottery Director John Musgrave said Melton has provided the agency invaluable daily counsel relating to each and every aspect of what has been termed, “an unprecedented lottery.”

“West Virginia is the only lottery in the nation that regulates all aspects of state gaming, including video lottery and table games at racetracks and in bars and taverns, as well as traditional lottery games,” said Musgrave. “John’s knowledge and ability to resolve difficult issues has been relied on not only by the Lottery, but also by the WV Department of Revenue and the Governor.”

The Powers Award distinguishes those who set extraordinary examples and influence in the way businesses are managed among NASPL’s 52 members. Melton was recognized for coordinating commission meetings and extending legal advice on actions taken by the Commission, as well as providing representation in administrative hearings. It was noted that he assisted the WV Attorney General’s Office in appellate cases and in the defense of the Lottery Director and Commissioners in federal court as it regards the agency’s authority to deny licenses.

In addition, NASPL’s commendation of Melton noted that he provides a wide range of legal advice to all Lottery employees daily, most of whom refer to him as an “institutional memory,” which can cite laws and eloquently explain why and how they were written.
Prior to being hired at the Lottery in 1993, Melton served 23 years with the WV State Tax Department.

In addition to Melton’s top award, the West Virginia Lottery received two Batchy Awards at the NASPL convention, one for Corporate Communications via a Player/Customer newsletter and another for the use of humor in television advertising.

Commending his staff for what he termed “outstanding achievement during a year of incredible growth and challenge,” Musgrave said the team of lottery employees should receive joint praise “for putting West Virginia in an international spotlight of recognition.”