About the Author
Drew Ellis
Get to know Drew Ellis
Prior to working for PlayiLottery, Drew was the Lead Writer at PlayMichigan, a regional site for Catena Media, since January 2022. In his time there, he handled coverage of casinos, sports betting, and lotteries – both retail and online – for one of the country’s leading online gaming states.
Drew has experience covering the gambling industries in Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, and Canada. Decades of media experience provide him with the background to handle the complexities of different lottery laws and policies around the country, as well as the expansion of iLottery in the US.
Award-winning, 20-year career in newspaper industry
Prior to working for Catena Media, Ellis spent over 20 years in the newspaper industry, covering sports and the gambling industry. His work for The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun and The Oakland Press was recognized with awards by the Associated Press and other media organizations. Drew has also contributed to the Detroit Free Press and the Associated Press, while currently contributing to All Lions – the Sports Illustrated home of the Detroit Lions.
Drew Ellis interviewed as a gambling expert
- WILX – Detroit’s striking casino workers rally at capitol
- TV6 – As online wagering surges, MDHHS equips residents with tools to combat addiction
- MISportsNow – How to bet smart and safe come Super Bowl LVII
Some of Drew Ellis’ work as a gambling expert
- Michigan Lottery Online Instant Games Look Like Online Slots, But They’re Not
- Michigan Shatters Online Casino Revenue Record With $188 Million In February
- 5 Key Numbers Illustrate Michigan’s iGaming Revenue Growth
- Casino Revenue Bounce Back Crucial For Michigan Tribal Communities
- Live updates on the Detroit casino workers’ strike
- Exclusive Interview: MCGB Talks Cracking Down On Illegal Gambling In Michigan
- MGCB Collects Award For ‘Don’t Regret The Bet’ Ad Campaign
Social media and professional profiles
- Drew Ellis on LinkedIn
- Drew Ellis on Muck Rack
- Drew Ellis on X
- Drew Ellis on YouTube
- Drew Ellis on Facebook
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Latest articles
Rep. Kera Birkeland Says Utah Lottery Has ‘Very Good Chance’ In A Few Years
Utah Rep. Kera Birkeland talked with PlayiLottery about what hurdles the state still has in front of it to eventually establish a retail lottery.
Vermont Lottery Leading The Way In Rapidly Growing Fast Play Market
As Fast Play lottery sales continue to quickly expand in the United States, Vermont is showing the biggest growth per capita among available states.
Despite January Storm, Oregon Lottery Sales Up For The Year
Although a January winter storm cost the Oregon Lottery an estimated $23 million, yearly sales are up compared to 2023 as the fiscal year winds down.
Former Alabama Governor Urges State To Consider Lottery As Separate Bill
Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman believes for a lottery to get legalized in the state, it needs to be considered separate from casino and sports betting.
New York iLottery Unlikely In 2024, But Sen. Addabbo Continues Push For 2025
Though attempts to get iLottery and iGaming legislation passed in 2024 fell short, New York Sen. Joseph Addabbo will continue to fight for it in 2025.
Maryland’s March Lottery Sales Hit $258 Million Surge Thanks To Draw Games
The Maryland Lottery had a 20% jump in sales for March due in part to rising jackpots in popular draw games like Powerball and Mega Millions.
How A NJ Group Bought 25.8 Million Tickets To Win Texas Lottery Jackpot
A group out of New Jersey purchased every possible outcome of a Lotto Texas drawing last year to win the $95 million jackpot.
Over $30 Billion Raised For Special Interests By US Lotteries In FY23
In fiscal year 2023, US lotteries generated more than $30 billion for special interest groups, with most of the funding going toward education.
Ms. PAC-MAN Scratcher Leading To Big Success For Wisconsin Lottery
The Wisconsin Lottery’s Ms. PAC-MAN $3 scratcher from Pollard Banknote is outpacing average sales at the same price point by 22% over the last three years.
Georgia’s Non-Denial Suggests Mega Millions Price Increase In The Works
The Georgia Lottery Corporation added fuel to reports that Mega Millions may increase ticket prices from $2 to $5 by not denying it’s being considered.