For D.C. Lottery scratch-off game players, fewer chances to win big

Mar 26, 2014, 2:00 pm (46 comments)

Washington, D.C. Lottery

For three years, D.C. resident Deonte Byrd has been making an almost-daily trek to Log Cabin Liquor at Seventh and S streets NW to hunt for a million-dollar jackpot in the form of a scratch-off lottery ticket.

In 10 minutes on a recent day, Byrd bought $10 worth of tickets, won $7, cashed it in and lost his winnings on new tickets.

"This is an addiction. I'm addicted. I'm an addict," a joking Byrd, 25, said with a smile. The single father of three said he buys scratch-off tickets religiously before his shift at a cleaning company.

But for Byrd and thousands of other instant-game players, their quest — and potentially millions of dollars in contributions to the District's general fund from lottery sales — might be put on hold because the D.C. Council and financial officials have been unable to settle on a vendor to print the games known as scratchers.

Until a vendor is selected — D.C. officials, who've been working on the problem for nearly a year, hope to have a temporary fix by April — fortune-seekers have a rapidly dwindling supply of tickets to play.

District officials said they rejected bids from two vendors last year on technical grounds. One vendor failed to meet the city's requirement that winners of large city contracts subcontract at least 35 percent of the value to local firms; the second vendor's bid was 70 percent higher than the first.

The delay in selecting a vendor comes as District officials remain painfully aware of how closely lottery procurements are scrutinized. The District's awarding of a $228 million lottery contract in 2008 spurred a federal investigation and lawsuits.

And it's not just the affections of scratch-ticket players at stake. The District stands to lose $6 million a year that is typically generated from sales of scratchers. Lottery sales overall generate about $68 million a year for city coffers.

"We need to get moving on this before we completely run out," said the District's chief financial officer, Jeffrey S. DeWitt. "Some tickets have already run out. There's a bit left, and we need to do something soon."

Buddy Roogow, executive director of the D.C. Lottery, said the dwindling supply is already being felt at the retail level: Lottery officials have six brands of scratchers available to distribute to stores; typically there are 25.

Roogow said the supply of $1 and $3 tickets — games such as Triple It and Tic Tac 3 — should last about six weeks. Once that supply is exhausted, the only tickets left will be the $20 games such as Black II. And Roogow estimates that those tickets will run out in six months.

"We've lost a lot of variety that people are used to," DeWitt said.

The shortage also comes as public interest in scratchers has increased. Before the failed bids last year, sales of scratch-off tickets had increased by nearly one-third over the past five years and officials had hoped to expand the offerings.

"It's a growing part of our portfolio," Roogow said.

DeWitt has proposed temporarily allowing three vendors to share the contract to print the tickets while the District works on a long-term solution that folds scratchers into a larger gaming contract.

Although players and lottery officials might lament the shortage of games, some gambling experts say that fewer options are not necessarily a bad thing.

Marc N. Potenza, a psychiatrist and researcher at Yale University who recently published a paper on the effects of instant lottery tickets and young people, noted that March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month and said it might be a good time to reflect on gaming habits.

"I have seen people in treatment for seeking help for excessive and problematic scratch-off ticket use," he said.

On a recent day at M Street Cards and Variety in Foggy Bottom, Lee Solomon was busy playing his scratchers.

He said he started buying a ticket occasionally about a decade ago after his uncle won a four-figure jackpot. And if District merchants run out of tickets, he'll take his money elsewhere.

"If they don't have scratchers here, I'll go to Maryland or Virginia," said Solomon, a mailroom employee at George Washington University.

It's players like Solomon who worry D.C. store owners.

Prav Saraff said he depends on the foot traffic at his Dupont Circle liquor store created by those who purchase scratch tickets. In recent weeks, he has noticed that his scratcher sales are down by about one-third.

"It's never been like this," said Saraff, 33, owner of 1 W. Dupont Circle Wine and Liquors. "It's frustrating because customers want to buy them, and we're in business to make money so we want to sell them."

He said his employees have been reaching out to D.C. Lottery for nearly two months.

"Whenever we call, they tell us the same thing," Saraff said, "that they're working on the problem and they'll get us some [scratchers] as soon as they're available."

Washington Post

Comments

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

It's D.C., what else can you say?.

Gleno's avatarGleno

... and to add insult to injury, as the expression goes,

D.C. ought to look to other states to see how they manage their lottery games

and stop short changing their citizens who want to play the instant scratch off games.

This is not "rocket science". They can do better then this. Chair

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

yes i seen this on the news not sure what's going on thereChair

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by Gleno on Mar 26, 2014

... and to add insult to injury, as the expression goes,

D.C. ought to look to other states to see how they manage their lottery games

and stop short changing their citizens who want to play the instant scratch off games.

This is not "rocket science". They can do better then this. Chair

Green laugh

Goteki54's avatarGoteki54

Instead of being called the District of Columbia, It shouild be called the District of Incompetance. Bash

Artist77's avatarArtist77

I noticed when I went to get my PB and Hot Lotto tickets on Monday, most (2/3?) of the plastic slot holders for the scratchers were empty. Now I know why.

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

I didn't know if one gets hurt in DC, everybody's affected.Smile

Artist77's avatarArtist77

What???? How are people outside of DC being affected?

Goteki54's avatarGoteki54

I wouldn't be surprised if DC players are crosssing over into Northern Virginia and Maryland to buy their scratch offs. Us Marylanders use to buy  Power Pall tickets there before Powerball came to Maryland. I doubt DC scratch off players are going to set around twiddling their thumbs waiting for the DC government to get a clue.

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

Incompetence is a time-honored tradition in DC.

They're better at it than anybody.

But don't worry, they'll remedy this problem like they always do - with the speed of a lumbering three-toed sloth.

In fact, they're probably organizing the focus-groups to study the problem already.

And don't worry, they'll be multi-cultural, environmentally-aware, non-confrontational, earth-friendly focus groups, all dressed in natural fibers woven from sustainable organics.

MADDOG10's avatarMADDOG10

Detroit in the D.C..  Same tactics and same results..  Democrats and a witches brew go hand in hand...!

RedStang's avatarRedStang

DC can't get anything right. Main St is slowly becoming a dirt road.

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by RedStang on Mar 27, 2014

DC can't get anything right. Main St is slowly becoming a dirt road.

I've never been to DC, don't know how it is there. But, do all ppl there play the lottery?

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Mar 27, 2014

I've never been to DC, don't know how it is there. But, do all ppl there play the lottery?

...how can it be such a game so addictive when it's just a happiness of few and sorrows to many?

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

I'm leaving for Saudi Arabia to visit my Father, I wonder, can I access this site over there?

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Mar 27, 2014

I'm leaving for Saudi Arabia to visit my Father, I wonder, can I access this site over there?

can I access this site over there?

I don't know why not Type

sully16's avatarsully16

Quote: Originally posted by rdgrnr on Mar 26, 2014

Incompetence is a time-honored tradition in DC.

They're better at it than anybody.

But don't worry, they'll remedy this problem like they always do - with the speed of a lumbering three-toed sloth.

In fact, they're probably organizing the focus-groups to study the problem already.

And don't worry, they'll be multi-cultural, environmentally-aware, non-confrontational, earth-friendly focus groups, all dressed in natural fibers woven from sustainable organics.

Yep, and it's a dirty rotten shame.

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by helpmewin on Mar 27, 2014

can I access this site over there?

I don't know why not Type

I guess I can.Smile

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Mar 27, 2014

I guess I can.Smile

Good a.m. helpmewin!Big Smile

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Good a.m. all!Big Smile

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Mar 27, 2014

Good a.m. helpmewin!Big Smile

hi how you doingSee Ya!

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by helpmewin on Mar 27, 2014

hi how you doingSee Ya!

Not so bad, thanks for asking. How 'bout you...how are you?

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Mar 27, 2014

Not so bad, thanks for asking. How 'bout you...how are you?

Green laughyour funny

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by helpmewin on Mar 27, 2014

Green laughyour funny

Hahaha...I wasn't paying attention...I'm eating my b'fast.lol

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

you play Lottery scratch-off gameSmash

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by helpmewin on Mar 27, 2014

you play Lottery scratch-off gameSmash

No, I don't. What is that?

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Mar 27, 2014

No, I don't. What is that?

you buy them at the store where you get gas you have a car don't you they are called scratch off tickets then you can maybe WIN instant $$$$$$ <--------this means money

then you will be dancing a jigBanana

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by helpmewin on Mar 27, 2014

you buy them at the store where you get gas you have a car don't you they are called scratch off tickets then you can maybe WIN instant $$$$$$ <--------this means money

then you will be dancing a jigBanana

That would be nice if you win?...I don't drive though.Hyper

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Mar 27, 2014

That would be nice if you win?...I don't drive though.Hyper

That is Great NEWS Blue Angel

RedStang's avatarRedStang

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Mar 27, 2014

Hahaha...I wasn't paying attention...I'm eating my b'fast.lol

Nothing like a hot Balut with hash browns first thing in the morning.

temptustoo's avatartemptustoo

The kick backs haven't been enough to satisfy the greedy city...... Big Grin Angel

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by RedStang on Mar 27, 2014

Nothing like a hot Balut with hash browns first thing in the morning.

Ewwwww...I don't eat balot hahahahaha!

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by helpmewin on Mar 27, 2014

can I access this site over there?

I don't know why not Type

"I don't know why not"

Are you serious???? Are you aware some countries have restrictions on the internet?

Per Wikipedia "Saudi Arabia directs all international Internet traffic through a proxy farm located in King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology. A content filter is implemented there, based on software by Secure Computing.[2] Since October 2006, the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has been handling the DNS structure and filtering in Saudi Arabia in the place of KACST. Additionally, a number of sites are blocked according to two lists maintained by the Internet Services Unit (ISU):[3] one containing "immoral" (mostly pornographic or supportive of LGBT-rights) sites and sites promoting Shia Ideology, the others based on directions from a security committee run by the Ministry of Interior (including sites critical of the Saudi government)."

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by Artist77 on Mar 27, 2014

"I don't know why not"

Are you serious???? Are you aware some countries have restrictions on the internet?

Per Wikipedia "Saudi Arabia directs all international Internet traffic through a proxy farm located in King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology. A content filter is implemented there, based on software by Secure Computing.[2] Since October 2006, the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has been handling the DNS structure and filtering in Saudi Arabia in the place of KACST. Additionally, a number of sites are blocked according to two lists maintained by the Internet Services Unit (ISU):[3] one containing "immoral" (mostly pornographic or supportive of LGBT-rights) sites and sites promoting Shia Ideology, the others based on directions from a security committee run by the Ministry of Interior (including sites critical of the Saudi government)."

Yeah, you are right. I was born in Saudi Arabia and I understand how strict they are. Most especially, I went to school at King Abdulaziz University High School. The royal family controls everything including the press.

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by rdgrnr on Mar 26, 2014

Incompetence is a time-honored tradition in DC.

They're better at it than anybody.

But don't worry, they'll remedy this problem like they always do - with the speed of a lumbering three-toed sloth.

In fact, they're probably organizing the focus-groups to study the problem already.

And don't worry, they'll be multi-cultural, environmentally-aware, non-confrontational, earth-friendly focus groups, all dressed in natural fibers woven from sustainable organics.

I actually think the incompetence goes back to the 1800's. This is why no one will grant them statehood.

But once the cocaine wars died out many years ago, most areas are fairly safe now.

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Mar 27, 2014

Yeah, you are right. I was born in Saudi Arabia and I understand how strict they are. Most especially, I went to school at King Abdulaziz University High School. The royal family controls everything including the press.

Good job Marilyn. I like people who use their brains.  Must have been very interesting there.  I would not care for not being able to drive my myself ever without a male "escort" so the "morals" police would have got me....lol.  I wonder since LP is "gambling" related if the word "lottery might be filtered?"

Get paid's avatarGet paid

Look at it this way,they don,t have any stratch off tickets,so I keep my money in my pocket. win win.

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Thank you for reminding me though. Yes, LP will be filtered. Artist, I am impressed you are indeed well informed.

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

I wonder, why does the numbers 23/32 always comes out on either PB and MM?

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by Artist77 on Mar 27, 2014

Good job Marilyn. I like people who use their brains.  Must have been very interesting there.  I would not care for not being able to drive my myself ever without a male "escort" so the "morals" police would have got me....lol.  I wonder since LP is "gambling" related if the word "lottery might be filtered?"

By the way, Alma Gluck is a Jewish singer from long past.

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Mar 27, 2014

By the way, Alma Gluck is a Jewish singer from long past.

I know. I would not have posted it without having done my homework. But an artist is an artist regardless of medium. She was also once one of the world's top singers.

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Mar 27, 2014

Ewwwww...I don't eat balot hahahahaha!

I don't like eating feathers.

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by rdgrnr on Mar 28, 2014

I don't like eating feathers.

It's looks like a small rat inside an eggshell. I'm sorry, but gross.

Ilovecash3

MITT romney wouldve had the city stocked with Scratchoffs

Shame on you , Mr. OBAMA

RedStang's avatarRedStang

I guess they make more off their rent a bicycle program then scratch-offs. You can find those everywhere.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by RedStang on Mar 30, 2014

I guess they make more off their rent a bicycle program then scratch-offs. You can find those everywhere.

Lottery players want their money now.

End of comments
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