Honoring individuals who have distinguished themselves throughout their careers with important lottery industry contributions.
Created in 1993 to honor Major Peter J. O’Connell, the first director of the Rhode Island Lottery, recipients of the award have distinguished themselves over a long period of time and have made important contributions to the success of their peers and to the lottery industry, as well as to the lotteries that they serve.
The recipients are nominated and selected by current Lifetime Achievement Award holders and join an elite group of industry leaders.
Major O’Connell was a pioneer in the lottery field and the evolution of instant ticket and on-line systems. After years of promoting the concept of a multi-state lottery, Major O’Connell served a two-year term as the first President of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), where in 1988 he was instrumental in launching Lotto*America, the predecessor of today’s Powerball.
In 1993, the Public Gaming Research Institute honored Major O’Connell with the Major Peter O’Connell Lottery Lifetime Achievement Award presented for “the principles of high integrity, commitment to the quality of the lottery, dedication to the lottery playing public, professional independence and service to the state, along with tenure in office, as exemplified by Major O’Connell.” After serving in the United States Marine Corps during WWII, Peter joined the Rhode Island State Police, where he served with distinction for 25 years. During his tenure he held several top-level positions as he rose to the rank of Major. As chairman of the New England Police Intelligence Unit, he designed and implemented the New England Police Management School for State Police, which became known nationally. Major O’Connell was inducted into the Rhode Island Criminal Justice Hall of Fame in 2014. In May of 1974, Major O’Connell was appointed by the governor to be the first Executive Director of the Rhode Island Lottery where he served until his retirement in 1993, making him the longest tenured Lottery Director in the Unites States at the time, and continues to be the longest serving tenure at one lottery. Major O’Connell passed away in 2021, just weeks shy of his 100th birthday.
Created in 1993 to honor Major Peter J. O’Connell, the first director of the Rhode Island Lottery, recipients of the award have distinguished themselves over a long period of time and have made important contributions to the success of their peers and to the lottery industry, as well as to the lotteries that they serve.
The recipients are nominated and selected by current Lifetime Achievement Award holders and join an elite group of industry leaders.
Major O’Connell was a pioneer in the lottery field and the evolution of instant ticket and on-line systems. After years of promoting the concept of a multi-state lottery, Major O’Connell served a two-year term as the first President of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), where in 1988 he was instrumental in launching Lotto*America, the predecessor of today’s Powerball.
In 1993, the Public Gaming Research Institute honored Major O’Connell with the Major Peter O’Connell Lottery Lifetime Achievement Award presented for “the principles of high integrity, commitment to the quality of the lottery, dedication to the lottery playing public, professional independence and service to the state, along with tenure in office, as exemplified by Major O’Connell.” After serving in the United States Marine Corps during WWII, Peter joined the Rhode Island State Police, where he served with distinction for 25 years. During his tenure he held several top-level positions as he rose to the rank of Major. As chairman of the New England Police Intelligence Unit, he designed and implemented the New England Police Management School for State Police, which became known nationally. Major O’Connell was inducted into the Rhode Island Criminal Justice Hall of Fame in 2014. In May of 1974, Major O’Connell was appointed by the governor to be the first Executive Director of the Rhode Island Lottery where he served until his retirement in 1993, making him the longest tenured Lottery Director in the Unites States at the time, and continues to be the longest serving tenure at one lottery. Major O’Connell passed away in 2021, just weeks shy of his 100th birthday.