lol! Work and scratching tickets should not mix. In fact, I've heard more than a few counter clerks complain or remark that the *boss* does not
want them scratching tickets while on shift. Some do not care, some do it out of sight of the cameras, some just do it regardless of the rules out
in plain sight. A lady at my local store who works behind the courtesy desk balancing books, doing register, running the lottery numbers, activating
gift cards..etc, etc, etc. Obviously she is very, very gifted because with her heavy work load, she manages to play the instants throughout the
day too! There is a slight problem with that....she stocks the instant ticket machine and activates the packs. Another slight problem with that
is, if a customer needs something, sometimes they've had to wait minutes which can seem to be an eternity if they merely wanted to know what
aisle the Snapper Hot Peppers are in...She's not at the counter ready to help, she's in the back room helping herself to some possible winnings
on the instant ticket she just bought. I consider this very wrong. I've already had to wait to get my numbers in and wonder where she is....in the
back room of course. I'm considering very carefully just how to report this. This is a family run store and while she's not immediate family, she has
been there FOR-EVER. Obviously, they turn a blind eye to her using her time scratching OR she has a place in the back room where she has enough
time to appear to be doing something else after someone else enters the room.
Just as certain sweepstakes have rules in place to prevent family members of employees from entering or the employees themselves...it seems
to me there's great conflict between allowing employees who are responsible for validating ticket packs, stocking machines, setting instant vending
machine codes, having first hand knowledge of what packs are newly stocked, knowing exactly what winners were purchased by them during the
course of their work shift and being allowed to play while working.
I have some time on my hands which I'll use to make a call to lottery headquarters. You know, I could find another store...but why should I?
This is the closest one to me. I do not work there. I am the customer who's only advantage is the same as anyone else's..that maybe the next
ticket out is a winner. It seems to me that being involved in the 'inner workings' of instant tickets, there might be an added advantage which
can be manipulated or at the least used to ensure the stocker/handler/employee (her) is getting the most return for her money. She just seems
to be 'in the know' a lot of times. Her name is listed on the winners list of $1,000 or more often enough. This is supposed to be potluck...the
majority of players have no advantage. I'm not envious in any way. I win often enough. It's just what's right is right and this sure is not.