State-issued ID scans now required at vending machines
By Kate Northrop
The Texas Lottery has implemented age verification measures on its self-service vending machines across the state to deter ticket sales to underage individuals.
As of Dec. 30, 2024, the Texas Lottery has officially introduced an additional step when purchasing tickets using a self-service vending machine that aims to curtail underage gambling.
Under Texas state law, players must be at least 18 years of age to purchase lottery tickets or redeem prizes at retailers. To further enforce the rule in situations where a retailer employee is unable to verify age at the time of purchase, the Lottery has added photo ID scanners to the machines.
Before initiating a transaction, players must scan their valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID at the machine. When the machine verifies the player is 18 years or older, it will allow the sale of tickets to that player.
The age verification feature, the Lottery said, is intended to help retailers better monitor the vending machines to prevent underage purchase, and that no data from the ID is collected or stored.
"The new age verification measure will support retail staff in enforcing existing rules to prohibit minors from buying lottery tickets," Lottery Executive Director Ryan Mindell said in a press release. "We are working closely with our licensed retailers to ensure a smooth transition and help players understand the importance of this change."
Players may scan the (PDF417) barcode located on the back of most state-issued IDs, which is facilitated by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) verification system.
Retailers face penalties for wrongfully selling lottery tickets to underage individuals. It is an offense, or Class C misdemeanor, to intentionally or knowingly sell or offer to sell a lottery ticket to a person they know is younger than 18 years old. Retailers are also guilty of the offense should they pay a prize out to a minor or to an adult presenting a winning ticket on behalf of a minor.
Retailers who violate these laws may trigger an investigation and lose their lottery sales license.
So they would know the winner of a jackpot if they bought a ticket from one of these machines.
From the story:
"...no data from the ID is collected or stored."
So no, they would not know who won.
Still, I hate the idea of needing to scan my ID when buying a lottery ticket. Too intrusive for my taste.
Oh wow! Had no idea this was such a huge problem in Texas. More likely it's another squeeze play by anti-lottery forces to inconvience everyone over a minuscule issue preventable by having the machine within sight of the courtesy desk.
BobP
https://www.funnyfailsvideos.com/i-wish-we-all-could-leave-california-beach-boys-parody/
Guess we'll need a rewrite for Texas, sucks to live where this nonsense is enforced.
We either have to show an ID or verbally give date of birth at Some stores in Albuquerque to buy lotto tickets. It's not a big deal. I tell them 6155. Maybe I'll use that combo!
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things"
What is "reasonable" about creating laws that require senior citizens to prove they're over 18 to a kiosk machine? Or anyone 18 or older?
Had an under 18 friend that smoked when we were in high school and bought cigarettes from machines. When someone questioned him, he said he was buying them for his mom or dad. Wonder if any of the underage Texas players will borrow their mom's, dad's, or older sibling's ID?
There are several states that have this already. I’ve had it in Colorado for a couple years now. It’s just a CYA for the retailers so they don’t have to expend the manpower or effort to monitor who’s buying tickets from their vending machines. But nothings perfect. You must show ID to buy alcohol, but yet we still have underage drinking. Wherever there are rules there are idiots that break them, making things harder for everyone else.
When Colorado instituted this on their lottery vending machines, they neglected to consider out-of-state ID’s. I had an out-of-state ID and remembered having to send them pics of the barcode on the back of my ID so they could load it in their database. It only took a couple days, but still…
I agree with Todd on this one!
In AZ (Arizona), an additional prompt asking if over 21 was added a few months ago. No overly intrusive ID scans in AZ. Higher age limit.
I eye roll every time a clerk asks for ID for age verification given my full gray hair. No AI needed.
Louisiana doesn't have a lot of lottery vending machines, but they do require a drivers' license scan to sell tickets. They have for some time now.
Most retailers will sell to anyone who looks of age no questions asked, but there is one chain of convenience stores that asks for ID on everyone regardless and they scan the ID on the lottery terminal. I don't care much for that, so I rarely buy tickets from stores in that chain.
I do the same thing when asked for ID. Like I said in an earlier post, there is a chain of convenience stores that asks for ID on everyone buying tickets. That same chain has stores in your state so I wonder if it's the same thing.
I remember another time I was asked for ID by a clerk who sold me tickets regularly. I gave it to him and he actually said he was sorry for having to ask me because his boss had gotten the word that the local liquor licensing board was conducting a sting on stores selling alcohol to minors so he was told instructed to check everyone on everything.
I don't necessarily mind occasionally showing ID, but having it scanned is another story.
I have an out of state license and it won't scan, so now I have to rely on the competence of the store cashiers who always get baffled with my QR codes from my app. It's a pain and I like to take my time at the machine.