More Trouble for OLG
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has more marketing trouble as two Toronto convenience store owners are accused of orchestrating a multi-million dollar insider lottery win. The OPP are holding back details until they give a press conference later today.
It’s not clear at this point whether this is simply a case of a store owner telling a winning customer that the ticket wasn’t a winner as in previous cases or whether the scheme is more elaborate. Either way, this is further embarrassment for OLG.
I’d like to think that this means that OLG executives won’t be getting bonuses this year, but I’m not holding my breath. If you needed another reason to avoid lottery tickets, you’ve got it.
Update: Further information indicates that this is just a case of a convenience store owner telling a customer who won that the customer didn’t win.
It’s not clear at this point whether this is simply a case of a store owner telling a winning customer that the ticket wasn’t a winner as in previous cases or whether the scheme is more elaborate. Either way, this is further embarrassment for OLG.
I’d like to think that this means that OLG executives won’t be getting bonuses this year, but I’m not holding my breath. If you needed another reason to avoid lottery tickets, you’ve got it.
Update: Further information indicates that this is just a case of a convenience store owner telling a customer who won that the customer didn’t win.
That does it! From now on, I only play the slot machines.
ReplyDeletePatrick, I agree! Either that or only Keeno, that's a safe game!
ReplyDelete@Patrick and Big Cajun Man: I'll stick to the negative lotteries like hoping not to be in a serious car accident, hoping that I don't get charged with some crime I didn't commit, etc.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'll try my luck at Merivale Bingo instead.
ReplyDeleteFriggin' OLG. Whatta mess.
Yes, as your update mentions, it looks like the police have finally done enough work on the case to prove a theft from 2003. I think there was an expose "The Fifth Estate" about this case and others. http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/luckofthedraw/index.html
ReplyDeleteAt that time, the OLG suspected wrong doing, since the apparent winner's story was vague and inconsistent, but they had no real grounds to deny payment.
Since that time, measures have been introduced to help prevent theft of winning tickets. I've noticed there's an audible "Whoohoo!" from the machines that check winning tickets at stores here in Manitoba, to alert customers their tickets are winners. Ticket holders are also encouraged to sign their tickets. Both are good policies.
@Financial Cents and @Gene: I know that many people take the lottery seriously, but I'd miss the fun if OLG actually solved all the problems. At their core, lotteries exploit human weakness with negative net social value.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how anyone can get taken by store clerks these days since the addition of the self scanning stations. Who seriously hands over the ticket to a clerk with all the horror stories???
ReplyDelete@Chris B: I agree that more people are wary of store clerks now. It seems that this case happened over 6 years ago. It's just now that the police have evidence.
ReplyDeleteI doubt people will avoid lottery - actually in times of economic hardship they prosper... More people are ready to pay for a dream!
ReplyDelete