The idea that the Raven King may have some bearing on the story, rather than a just being a (particularly interesting) bit of magical history, was such a slow reveal in the books that I was a little surprised to see it foregrounded in the first episode. Reading the book I enjoyed the slow realization that the…

“'Moonvest over at CBS': Great one-0ff, one-joke 30 Rock character—or greatest one-off, one-joke 30 Rock character?"

The lottery money isn't winnings, its the money for tickets the employees have pooled together to buy tickets. The phone call with Jackie the next episode references it.