Pat McDonald, the Director of the $4bn Ohio state lottery, resigned this week due to medical reasons. McDonald informed Republican Governor Mike DeWine of his early retirement.
Dan Tierney, a spokesperson for Governor DeWine, said the Director’s resignation would be effective immediately. Michelle Gillcrist, the governor’s aerospace and defense liaison and northeast Ohio regional liaison, has already been appointed to serve as Director on an interim basis.
McDonald has been an active part of the Ohio lottery for 16 years. Before becoming Director, he originally served as a member and long-time chair of the Ohio Lottery Commission. Governor DeWine appointed him Director in 2019.
Previously, McDonald also held the position of Elections Director for Cuyahoga County, as well as worked with the Ohio secretary of state, Ohio treasurer and as an Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce.
According to local Cleveland News 19, McDonald’s resignation was sent in a short email to Governor DeWine's chief of staff, Stephanie McCloud. The email reportedly read, “This is to notify you that I am retiring from my position of Director of the State of Ohio Lottery Commission effective today, April 12, 2023, due to medical reasons. It has been a pleasure to serve the people of Ohio.”
The Ohio Lottery is currently experiencing a busy season, including a possible rebid of its central gaming system contract, worth over $90m every two years. The Ohio Lottery has over 9,800 retailers throughout the Buckeye State and also recently launched legal sports betting in January this year.
