The World Lottery Association (WLA) has been paying tribute to James Edward Hosker, lottery veteran and former Executive Director of the Massachusetts State Lottery, following his recent May 19 passing away due to complications arising from COVID-19.
The youngest of three brothers, Hosker served as a combat infantryman during the Korean conflict prior to his entry into the betting and gaming industry. Following his military service, in which he was honourably discharged, the lottery veteran served as a police officer and firefighter prior to his lottery introduction.
Having dabbled in politics, Hosker was tasked with researching and eventually establishing the Massachusetts State Lottery in the 1980s. He ran the lottery agency until 1990 during which time he helped develop both the Daily Numbers game and the first-in-the-nation Instant Game while serving as its Executive Director.
A personal tribute by Ray Bates, former Director of the Irish National Lottery, read: “Jim Hosker was my mentor and good friend. When I joined the lottery family in 1987 I, like many others in that position, knew little or nothing about lotteries. So, I searched around for a world expert and discovered one James E Hosker, Director of Massachusetts State lottery.
“I made contact and asked could I come and visit. I got an immediate yes and spent one amazing and seminal week in Boston learning all there was to know about the lottery business from Jim and his first lieutenant Tom O’Hehir. We three were bonded by a mutual love of Ireland and an even greater love of Macanudo cigars.
“He was arguably, the foremost expert on scratch card games, and his lottery was a pioneer for Lotto through the online retail network. And, while internet /online gaming was at the edge of his experience, he could often surprise a meeting with an incisive comment on internet selling observed through his prism of ‘traditional’ selling experience.”
Following his time in Massachusetts, Hosker would go on to take his talents to the Kentucky State Lottery and later GTech Texas to grow its fledgling operations into what have now become multi-million dollar institutions.
The former executive director retired at the age of 75, with his final role having seen him work as a gaming consultant with lotteries both in the US and around the world at GTech.
Bates’ tribute continued: “He moved with ease and success through Massachusetts, Kentucky and finally to Gtech to head up their Texas FM lottery operation, and latterly to work as a Consultant.
“Jim had a gruff exterior which some might have found intimidating. Clearly he was no pushover, but underneath he was gentle and caring, and with a great sense of humour. He loved being around young people – family and co-workers and was always ready to give someone a start on the ladder.
“He had no hint of hubris. He just was Jim. He could talk to anyone from the highest to the lowliest. He was a sponge for information; he wanted to know everything about everything. ‘Now tell me this…’ was one of his favourite openers. He had stories to tell… of his time in the Korean War; his time in the Boston police force, his political life and finally his lottery life.
“We have all lost a great man … but I have lost a real pal.”