By The newspaper
Nov 29, 2023, 2:34 PM EST
The California Lottery joined the national campaign to give responsibly at Christmas with a reminder that scratch-off tickets cannot be given to children.
The entity indicated, in a statement last week, that these lottery tickets are not toys, and that it is a violation of the law to give them to minors.
“Although the purpose of our games is to spread fun and joy this season, especially with our Christmas-themed Scratchers®, it is crucial to highlight that it is a violation of the law for children 18 or younger to participate in lottery activities,” warned Carolyn Becker. , spokesperson for the California Lottery.
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, research shows that the earlier a person participates or is exposed to problem gambling, the more likely they are to develop addiction or problems later in life. his life.
In some instances, adults provide lottery tickets to minors without knowing the risks.
As part of the initiative to keep minors away from lottery games, the entity emphasized to its network of more than 23,000 retail partners that selling lottery tickets to anyone under 18 years of age is prohibited. To ensure compliance with the law, the lottery employs minors who pose as ticket buyers.
Scratch-off games are one of the most popular in the state. With the cards that players continually buy, they obtain profits that can reach million-dollar levels.
$5 million with scratch-off ticket
For example, on November 21, the lottery reported that Clyde Stokely claimed the $5 million he won with a “100X Scratchers” ticket.
The amount corresponds to the jackpot under that game.
The woman played scratch-off games continuously for years hoping to win until she did.
“I was excited, of course. I had to look in my car a lot of times to make sure I wasn’t seeing 26 instead of 28,” the woman told the lottery in reference to the winning number for the highest prize. “I also looked a couple of times at home and had the confirmation I needed. I won!,” she added.
Part of the income from the sale of lottery tickets in the state is directed to the financing of public schools, from kindergarten to secondary school; as well as community colleges, California State University, among other higher education institutions. In fiscal year 2021 through 2022, the California Lottery transferred $2.007 million to public education centers.
Keep reading:
Lottery Players Win More Times With $1 Scratch-Offs, Study Reveals
Two Hispanics in California recently became millionaires with scratch-off tickets
US states where residents buy the most lottery tickets