People can now use debit and credit cards to purchase Pennsylvania lottery tickets at nine Smoker's Express stores in the Harrisburg area as part of a new payment trial.
The Pennsylvania Lottery is testing out the financial viability of allowing people to use credit and debit cards to purchase draw and instant lottery tickets. The test, which started this week, is the result of an ever-growing population of Pennsylvanians that don't carry cash and can't play the Lottery.
"We've been hearing from Lottery players for years asking for an electronic payment option," said Pa. Lottery spokesman Gary Miller. "Consumers, increasingly, are using electronic payment for all types of retail purchases."
In one study, Miller said, it was found that 60 percent of people carried less than $20 in cash and 18 percent carried no cash at all.
"That leaves very few consumers walking around with cash to play the Lottery," he said.
While retailers have traditionally only accepted cash for ticket payments, Miller said it is up to each individual retailer to determine what forms of payment they will accept in Pennsylvania.
A number of stores — not just the nine Smoker's Express shops — already accept credit and debit cards for lottery tickets.
One of the benefits of only allowing customers to purchase lottery tickets with cash, is that people are not able to buy tickets on credit with money they don't have. The cash requirement has served as a safeguard.
Miller said he hopes that people will continue to play responsibly with the additional payment option.
"We want people to play responsibly. By that we mean use only their discretionary income," Miller said.
"Part of the test is to see how consumers are playing. It's not really our place to tell people what constitutes responsible play because it may mean something different to every player. But every player has thought about what it means to them."
Miller said the timeline for the test is open ended. At some point, Lottery officials will look at the results of the test and determine the future of credit and debit card payments for the Pa. Lottery.
PA is the only state which has pick 2 lotto, and taking people's cash is not enough. WTG PA Lotto.
What a greed monger!
I would imagine that the retailers aren't too happy giving up 2-3% of their selling commission to credit card processing fees.
Credit cards to buy lottery tickets? Are they nuts!
It cost a lot of money handling cash also, and dont forget that less cash means lower risk of gettiing robbed. I think their revenue will rise.
A number of stores — not just the nine Smoker's Express shops — already accept credit and debit cards for lottery tickets.
I'm not understanding what the big deal is if other retailers already do this?
In Idaho plenty of retailers have been accepting credit cards for as long as I can remember. Each retailer has the choice, and I guess it's worth it to pay the fees because they continue to accept them. My CC companies often offer 5% cash back at gas stations or grocery stores, so I always make the effort to buy most of mine at a place I can get the cash back incentive for that quarter.
The next big story will be about all the people that are in debt cause of the C.Cards and Debit cards...and the people will be saying "But the Lottery made me do it".....
They need to get rid of that PK 2 game...
I think allowing credit cards is a bad plan but accepting debit is another story and actually makes sense. Most places here in Indiana only accept cash, but i always go by my local tobacco store because i can buy my cigs and my lottery on my debit card in one easy transaction. It's the main reason i don't buy my lottery tickets from other places..i don't want to have to go by the ATM and get cash plus they make you break it up into two separate transactions if you are buying gas for example. I vote yes on debit cards...no on credit cards..seriously who buys their lottery with their credit card!!!
It's being done in preparation for a Cashless America. Once it is implemented in other Countries can America be far behind? http://www.cnbc.com/2015/05/15/this-country-is-trying-to-go-cash-free.html
this will be major trouble for those who can't control their spending.
lots don't care about their credit, or what they owe so this may be
something that comes back on the pa lotto for pushing this.
what they gain may not be what they hoped for if people don't pay
up. problem gamblers may have a field day for awhile
I wouldn't use credit cards, you may find that credit card issuers will charge cash advance fees, plus interest from time of transaction.
With debit cards, as the payment comes directly out of your account, there won't be any fees or interest.
So if you buy lottery tickets with a credit card not only do you lose your money, but now you have to pay 15-20% interest on the money you lost. Who does this really benefit besides the credit card companies?
"What the big deal" is the PA Lottery is testing publicly touting the ability to buy lottery tickets with debit and credit cards. The ability has long been there, but until now, the PA Lottery has kept it on the down-low.
Personally, many years ago, on multiple occasions, I bought lottery tickets in PA using an Amex charge card with no issues. While credit card fees cut into merchant margins, time is also a factor for high volume quick stop places. Easier and faster to ring up lottery with gas on a card verses splitting into separate transactions with different tenders.
Also, handling cash comes with a cost too, which can be more than many laypeople would expect. Banks, armor car services, etc charge fees. Plus, the security aspect of cash, which is a common problem lottery players run into when cashing in tickets. Many shops struggle to cash winners over $100.
On a related note, I've noticed the self-service terminals appear to have a blank space on the front where a card reader could go. Maybe PA Lottery is thinking along the same lines I am. Can only hope so, because cashing in winning tickets is increasingly become troublesome as retailers often have little cash available. Even supermarkets near me often struggle to payout more than a hundred or two unless someone has recently purchased a money order and the clerk hasn't drop the cash into the safe yet.
It would be great if the PA Lottery would come out with a reloadable debit card for both play and collecting winnings. No more fussing with cash, and cashing out up to $600 (in PA; some states have lower claim limits) would be a breeze to a debit card. No more worrying about whether the retailer has enough cash.
A reloadable debit card for both play and collecting winnings. This could have some merit to it.
Ontario, Puerto Rico, and Quebec also have Pick 2 lotteries. I prefer Pick 4. It pays more. Gotta love the Pick 4 utopia's: Oregon, Texas, and Tennessee!
Been buying lottery tickets with my debit card for years ..... NOT telling where because sometimes I don't have the cash. Now they are going to make it legal? Hahaahahahahaaa!!!
It's almost worth the gamble. Max out your card buying lotto tickets. Claim bankruptcy and buy a new car in a few years. High interest for a year, no problem.I know a few folks that have claimed and succeeded.
My thoughts exactly. Can't wait for the headlines though.
They have been priming the pump for a cashless society here for a while now, it is a great way to control people. It is very ripe for the government to abuse too since they can shut your accounts down for dissent or anything else.
Years ago was told in this small town I could buy lottery tickets with a debit card. Had commented how come they can buy cancer sticks with a card and I can't play lotto with a debit card. That's when she enlightened me.
But these people have always been able to use their credit cards for lottery even if retailers won't accept cards as payment. They just pay the 10% fee on those "convenience" checks the card issuer so kindly mails to you every month, and use the cash for lottery while paying an additional 25% financing that "convenience" check.
People who aren't responsible with their credit or their finances find a way to continue being irresponsible.
I'm grateful for those people because they allow the credit card companies to pay people like me those 1 - 5% incentives for using their card. One actually paid 10% on certain purchases for a couple weeks around Christmas. I'm a responsible user who always pays off my balance. I don't pay any fees or interest, ever. I actually make several hundred dollars a year from the credit card issuers by using my cards RESPONSIBLY. And everyone who has a credit card has that choice. I'm not special.
I thought there was some kind of law forbidding lottery purchases gambling purchases using credit cards or debit cards.
I play the Massachusetts lottery by subscription. I have renewed recently by phone and payed with a debit card. No fees or interest charges. The subscription service is available across the US.
About 30 years ago or so Ohio had that option. They stopped it a long time ago. I used to hang out at a bar where many of us played scratch offs.
I would take the cash and put the tickets on my CC or Gas card. Never won anything big. But you got to pay the CC back.
It could get you in big trouble financially.
Bad idea, stick with the cash payments. Many people could get in debt quicker than you think.
Take it from me, because I know that it is not worth it.
"If you can't pay it, Don't play it."
So in Tobacco shops you can optionally buy a pack of Marlboros and lottery tickets together with a debit or credit card? I'm not a smoker but I sort of like the idea especially at lottery terminals when I don't have exact change or no cash.
Thus this article!
Maybe you will win Megabucks Doubler...it is a long flight for you to get those monies. I should know, but don't, how do they contact you for the big win? I'll go on the website and search that one out.
You can no longer use American Express to purchase their tickets.
Under FAQ: 'Jackpot prize winners are notified to come to the Braintree office to claim their prize'.
Prizes under $600 are mailed to the subscriber; though some prizes require a social security number verification. Don't know how that works with a foreign country player.
So you could fly to Logan, take the blue line inbound and red line outbound to Braintree. Naturally when you win big bucks flying from Australia you would probably hire a limousine.
Enabling the gambling addicts with another way to play. Guess PA lottery needs to compete with the casinos.
I do whenever and wherever I can. With that being said I always play within my means and pay off my credit card balance in full each month. I also get $ back of 1-5% on my card depending on the quarter. So in my situation I can ask who seriously uses $ to buy lottery tickets?