Memo to lottery players in New York: If you play the numbers, make sure you pay your child support:

Governor George E. Pataki today announced that New York State recouped $4.2 million in outstanding child support payments and public assistance repayments from lottery winners during the State’s 2003-2004 fiscal year, through the State’s Lottery Intercept Program.

“We continue to do all we can to ensure that children get the support they deserve, that they are the real winners when deadbeat parents win the lottery,” Governor Pataki said...

While more people have had their winnings garnished because they've collected public assistance, last year 778 lottery winners were caught owing money to their kids via child support. The state took out the kids' cut first.