STRICTER RETAIL CONTROL MOOTED FOR CANADIAN LOTTO

16 November 2007

Too many retail winners sparked investigation


The disproportionate levels of big winners among ticket sellers that sparked an Ombudsman investigation into the Ontario Lottery earlier this year (see previous InfoPowa reports) has resulted in stricter measures by the new management of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.

In future, Ontario's alcohol and gaming commission will take over the investigation of all suspicious lottery wins - including those claimed by lottery retailers - starting in January 2008 as the lottery corporation tries to rebuild its tarnished image and crack down on any suggestion of fraud.

All insider wins over $10 000 will be investigated by the new regulatory body following recommendations from the provincial Ombudsman who was sharply critical of the cozy relationship between the lotto corporation and the thousands of retailers who sell - and buy - its products.

Teresa Roncon, spokeswoman for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., said the definition of a lottery "insider" is also being broadened to include family members and any person living with a retailer or gaming corporation employee. Those who try to collect wins of under $10 000 will be better tracked and monitored through a new database, she added.

"This will provide our customers with a greater amount of security and greater integrity in our lottery product," Roncon said. "That's the priority at OLG. We've been working very hard on this for many months."

University academics ran statistical checks on the high levels of jackpot wins among ticket sellers earlier this year, leading to the commissioning of an investigation by the Ontario Ombudsman, Andre Marin, who slammed the corporation in his examination in March, saying it ignored allegations of widespread retailer fraud, "coddling" ticket sellers while playing "games" with customers who complained they had been cheated.

Suggesting confidence in the lottery was shattered, Marin said the corporation lost sight of its obligation to the public in its desire to maintain a good relationship with some of its best customers - retailers.

The gaming corporation has implemented around 80 percent of Marin's recommendations, Roncon said, and is making "great headway" with the remaining suggestions.

Following one of the key recommendations, the lottery corporation will be regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission starting in January and all customers will be required to sign their tickets to crack down on potential fraud.

"Lottery security and integrity in our games is our priority," Roncon said.

Critics say the corporation has a long way to go, reports the Canadian Press. New Democrat Andrea Horwath said she hasn't seen anything from the corporation about having retailers pass criminal background checks before being allowed to sell tickets and establishing a code of conduct for ticket-sellers.

There is also no mention about what will happen to retailers who are found guilty of fraud, said Horwath, adding Marin suggested their assets should be frozen.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa