California Lottery issues warning to ticket retailers

The California Lottery is warning retailers against selling tickets to third-party lotto distribution sites.

In a news release, lottery officials urged their 23,000 traditional ticket retailers — convenience and liquor stores, gas stations and grocery retailers — to avoid business dealings with companies that resell those tickets online.

“Online lottery ticket courier services are illegal in California,” said Carolyn Becker, California
Lottery spokesperson. “We are thankful for the support of our retail partners in helping our
customers play safely, rather than exchanging money with a third-party, unregulated business.”

According to the California Lottery, tickets can only be purchased at authorized retailers, and any player who buys their games through an online courier is not technically eligible to win.

Also, if a winning ticket were sold online, no retailer bonus would be paid out.

The California Lottery did not allude to or mention any specific cases in which a winner purchased a ticket online.