Public Gaming International May/June 2020

77 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • MAY/JUNE 2020 James Edward Hosker was proudly born in Lynn Massachusetts on May 31, 1931. He died on May 19, 2020, due to complications from Covid-19, just shy of his 89th birthday. Jim’s enterprising spirit would serve him well when he was asked to help a young and dapper Bob Crane run for State Treasurer in 1964. Eventually, Crane o ered him a job at the State House in 1967 to serve as Deputy State treasurer for 13 years. While in that position, he continued his multi-tasking, working in the treasurer’s o ce, assisting with Crane’s campaigns and expanding his services to help a young up and comer, Kevin White, run for mayor of Boston. Jim established the rst in-house polling setup in Massachusetts. He became a pre-eminent pollster for Demo- crats, only polling for candidates he liked and sadly for his progeny, never taking a dime for his e orts. In the 1980’s, Jim was asked to research and eventually establish the Massachusetts State Lottery. He developed both the Daily Num- bers game and the rst-in-the-nation Instant Game while serving as Executive Director, running the agency until 1990. After Crane’s retirement as treasurer, heeding his own long held maxim, “When you’re out, you’re out,” Jim took his talents to the Kentucky State Lottery and later GTech Texas to grow their edgling operations into multi-million dollar institutions. Known for his pep talks, Jimmy took it upon himself to lift everyone around him up, particularly young people new to the business. e list of co-workers he mentored is long and illustrious, as Jim always took the time to be kind to everyone. Prior to retire- ment at the age of 75, Jim worked at GTech in Providence, RI as a gaming consultant, working with lotteries in the United States and around the world. “ ere aren’t many people in this industry who weren’t guided at one time or another by Jim Hosker’s brilliance,” said Beth Bresna- han, who is now the director of the Washing- ton D.C. lottery. “Jim left a lasting legacy in the industry.” 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 J 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 rst lieutenant Tom O Hehir. We three were bonded by a mutual love of Ireland and an even greater love of Macanudo cigars. Since that time, Jim has been a constant in my business and personal life. He was my “go to” person whenever I had a di cult situation to deal with … and there were a few over my 20 years as Direc- tor of the Irish National Lottery. He knew the detail, but could also always give me the broader perspective. He was arguably, the foremost expert on scratch card games, and his lottery was a pioneer for Lotto through the on-line 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. He moved with ease and success through Massachusetts, Ken- tucky and nally to Gtech to head up their Texas FM lottery operation, and latterly to work as a Consultant. Jim had a gru exterior which some might have found intimi- dating. 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 nally his lottery life. I am so pleased I had the opportunity to visit him and his beguiling wife Jean in their retirement home in Mans eld in Mass in 2018. He was in rude good health at the time for a man in his 80’s and he was displaying the same resilience just recently when I called him for a catch-up chat. He simply adored his wife, Jean, and his children and grand- children, who will all greatly miss him. My wife and my children enjoyed and loved Jim too, and feel the loss. We have all lost a great man … but I have lost a real pal. I N MEMO R I UM : J AME S E DWA R D H O S K E R P E R S ONA L T R I BUT E TO J I M HO S K E R from Ray Bates, Honorary President EL President 1995 - 2001 and Former National Lottery Director AnPost