Store banned from selling lottery products after violation
By Kate Northrop
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina Lottery retailer had its license suspended after deputies caught staff selling a lottery ticket to a minor.
The South Carolina Lottery temporarily suspended the license of a retailer located in Columbia in response to allegations that the store had sold a ticket to an underage individual.
In South Carolina, it is against the law to sell lottery tickets to an individual under the age of 18 and illegal for anyone under 18 years old to purchase lottery tickets.
While responding to community complaints at CK Mart on Broad River Road in Columbia on July 11, Richland County Sheriff's Department (RCSD) deputies observed a cashier selling a lottery ticket to someone younger than 18 years old, according to the department.
The act was "a direct violation of state law and lottery retailer regulations, which strictly prohibit the sale of lottery products to minors," RCSD said.
Deputies informed the South Carolina Lottery Commission of the incident. In response, the Lottery temporarily suspended the retailer's license, which prevents the store from selling any lottery products.
"All licensed retailers are expected to follow the law and maintain responsible business practices," Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said in a statement. "Violations like this will not be tolerated. I would also like to thank the South Carolina Education Lottery for taking quick action with this suspension."
The Lottery declined to comment on whether the agency was currently conducting any further investigations into the retailer or whether any future investigations are planned.
One week prior to the incident, the same store was the site of a shooting that led to the death of a 29-year-old man.
Probably six or so months ago watched maybe an eight year old put money in the lottery machine and buy scratch tickets. Don't know if his parents spoke English well or not, but told them this is illegal...he's not 18! Yes, he did stop this nonsense.
if the parents are right there by their little kid just letting him put the money in the machine, it's way less serious than a teen coming in alone to buy himself a scratch off. little kids just like they way it feels when the machine pulls the dollar bill out of your hands. a teen is old enough to have a real (and unhealthy) interest in gambling. since the sheriff's dept had to get involved, it's probably closer to the second scenario than the first.
They were about 50' away in Wendy's eating and he was in Pilot playing away. Barely in line of sight.
ok, that's pretty bad.
* Years ago Lottery post kept us fully informed of when a store clerk named Patel deceived or attempted to deceive a customer by telling them they had a losing ticket when it was just the opposite. It's now replaced with this. I find it hard to believe we ran out of Patel's cause we know they out there. I must confess, l miss those glory days 😃
These teens nowadays look like adults could be an honest mistake
My cell phone thankfully receives no scam calls. But my roommate's does quite frequently, even T-Mobile can't stop them it seems. Anyway if I get to answer I'll say how are you Mr. Patel?
Either way. If you think about it in the simplest form. If there caught. The lottery can refuse to cash the ticket. So it's more free money for the lottery. I would not even take the chance. Imagine winning a life time changing amout of money. And the lottery tells you . No money for you. U violated the rules.
"little kids just like they way it feels when the machine pulls the dollar bill out of your hands. a teen is old enough to have a real (and unhealthy) interest in gambling. "
An 8yo might not have had a clue what they wee even buying. It's possible the parents gave the kid some money and told him to get something from a vending machine, and for whatever reason that's the machine he chose.
"These teens nowadays look like adults could be an honest mistake "
My (already very well-developed) 14yo niece puts on make up and looks like she's 20. That's why so many places have a policy of checking ID on anyone that doesn't look like they're 35 or 40 and wants to buy alcohol or cigarettes. I don't think most places are as careful about lottery sales even though the rules are basically the same.
The U.S. Virgin Islands Lottery (Caribbean Lottery) asks you your date of birth before granting you access to their website. It's probably easy to lie, but it may discourage some junior citizens.
Before I was of age, I would "play" the lottery by writing down numbers in my notebook and watching the drawings to see if any came up. I don't remember if I ever won. I actually didn't buy my first ticket until I was 19 (legal age was 18).