Florida Lottery shuts down service illegally selling lottery tickets online
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - An unauthorized courier service has been shut down by the Florida Lottery for illegally selling lottery tickets online, officials announced Thursday in a news release.
The service, known as The Lotter, worked jointly with lottery retailer ZaZa Accessories, and acted as an intermediary for purchasing lottery tickets, according to the Florida Lottery.
Authorities learned of the illegal sales through routine monitoring and enforcement efforts.
"The actions of this online courier service and lottery retailer not only violate state law but also compromise the experience of our loyal players and retailers who operate with integrity," Steven Harriett, Director of Security for the Florida Lottery, said in a statement. "We will continue to work closely with law enforcement to root out illegal activities and maintain the public’s confidence in the Florida Lottery."
Where can players purchase a legitimate Florida Lottery ticket?
The Florida Lottery urges players to buy tickets exclusively from authorized retailers, instead of through unauthorized third-party services.
To find a verified location near you, click here for the Florida Lottery's "Where to Play" online tool.
Purchasing lottery tickets through unauthorized third-party services is illegal and comes with serious risks, such as fraud, misrepresentation, and the possibility of losing winnings.
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The Source: Information for this article came from a Florida Lottery news release.