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Retailers sue N.M. Lottery over scratch-off games

New Mexico LotteryNew Mexico Lottery: Retailers sue N.M. Lottery over scratch-off games

Eastern N.M. businesses say some prize money not being awarded

Eastern New Mexico retailers have accused the New Mexico Lottery of misrepresenting scratch-off games to the public by advertising prizes, then pulling the games before all the money is awarded.

The retailers, in a class-action lawsuit filed in state District Court in Albuquerque last week, allege the lottery has adopted a practice over the past several years of prematurely pulling games statewide while substantial cash prizes are available.

At the same time, the retailers said, the lottery promotes the games and entices people to buy tickets by posting top prizes still to be won.

Lottery spokeswoman Linda Hamlin said Monday that lottery officials were reviewing the lawsuit and that it would be premature to comment.

The lawsuit — which alleges unfair trade practices and negligent misrepresentation — asks the court to stop the New Mexico Lottery from prematurely discontinuing scratch-off games. It also asks the court to delineate the circumstances in which the lottery can pick up unsold games.

AP

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3 comments. Last comment 6 years ago by KY Floyd.
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irondoor827

United States
Member #52155
April 19, 2007
200 Posts
Offline
Posted: July 4, 2007, 9:28 am - IP Logged

Eastern N.M. businesses say some prize money not being awarded

Eastern New Mexico retailers have accused the New Mexico Lottery of misrepresenting scratch-off games to the public by advertising prizes, then pulling the games before all the money is awarded.

The retailers, in a class-action lawsuit filed in state District Court in Albuquerque last week, allege the lottery has adopted a practice over the past several years of prematurely pulling games statewide while substantial cash prizes are available.

At the same time, the retailers said, the lottery promotes the games and entices people to buy tickets by posting top prizes still to be won.

Lottery spokeswoman Linda Hamlin said Monday that lottery officials were reviewing the lawsuit and that it would be premature to comment.

The lawsuit — which alleges unfair trade practices and negligent misrepresentation — asks the court to stop the New Mexico Lottery from prematurely discontinuing scratch-off games. It also asks the court to delineate the circumstances in which the lottery can pick up unsold games.

This  was  a  good  lawsuit and  iit  puts  loottery  officials  on  notice  people  are  watching ;

Ny  covered  its  'but"  with  a  small  comment  written  into  law  that  allows  it  to  modify  at  any  time  they  wish  any  game  or  drawing "  this  is  often  used  to  pull-off large  cash  rip-offs  and  payOuts  are  small  and  few.....

    MIlottoplayer
    Avatar
    Grand Rapids, Michigan
    United States
    Member #53485
    June 19, 2007
    67 Posts
    Offline
    Posted: July 4, 2007, 11:14 am - IP Logged

    Eastern N.M. businesses say some prize money not being awarded

    Eastern New Mexico retailers have accused the New Mexico Lottery of misrepresenting scratch-off games to the public by advertising prizes, then pulling the games before all the money is awarded.

    The retailers, in a class-action lawsuit filed in state District Court in Albuquerque last week, allege the lottery has adopted a practice over the past several years of prematurely pulling games statewide while substantial cash prizes are available.

    At the same time, the retailers said, the lottery promotes the games and entices people to buy tickets by posting top prizes still to be won.

    Lottery spokeswoman Linda Hamlin said Monday that lottery officials were reviewing the lawsuit and that it would be premature to comment.

    The lawsuit — which alleges unfair trade practices and negligent misrepresentation — asks the court to stop the New Mexico Lottery from prematurely discontinuing scratch-off games. It also asks the court to delineate the circumstances in which the lottery can pick up unsold games.

    Now, that's messed up!  I remember late last year going to the Michigan lottery's website and checking to see which top remaining instant prizes were left.  I even made a list of which instant tickets I'd buy based on the top remaining prizes.  But I couldn't find any places that were still selling the tickets!  It was very frustrating and annoying.  This story reminds me of that experience.

      KY Floyd
      Avatar
      NY
      United States
      Member #24178
      October 16, 2005
      2531 Posts
      Offline
      Posted: July 4, 2007, 5:01 pm - IP Logged

      Cry me a river. The state has a right to suspend or change games as they see fit, as long as nobody is cheated. The people who buy tickets while the game is available have odds that are determined by how many tickets were printed and how many prizes there are, and their results aren't affected by anything that happens later. The people who don't buy tickets before a game ends can't lose anything. Unless the state is making a habit of selectively pulling only the games that have sold fewer prizes than would be expected for the number of tickets that have been sold, there's nothing wrong with them deciding to stop the game early. There's nothing in the article that suggests that the lottery is doing anything unfair.

      BTW, thanks for quoting the article. If you hadn't, we would never have known what your comments are about. 

         
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