One consistent element in the gaming business that’s been pretty consistent across its entire existence is a war of attrition against elements who think they can game the system. The industry is always battling “advantage players” ranging from card counters to sweepstakes site operators and now bulk lottery ticket buyers. But at least one US State is fighting back on bulk lottery ticket wins and many more are sure to follow in its footsteps.
Late last week, Arizona lottery officials instituted a new “Prohibition of Bulk Ticket Purchases” aimed at curbing the success of out-of-state bulk lottery ticket buyers. These syndicates spend millions of dollars purchasing online lottery tickets to gain an edge in state lottery draws, and have been pretty successful at their business in states like Texas.
In Arizona, the rule applies to the state’s Fast Play lottery feature, which is slightly different from a traditional lottery draw. In Fast Play, players can purchase lottery tickets online and get instant results. Under the new rule, players will be prohibited from purchasing more than $50,000 worth of Fast Play tickets in a 24-hour period.
More specifically the rule reads, “Pursuant to A.R.S. § 5-554(B)(3), the Lottery holds sole and absolute authority to deny the award of any prize for violations of applicable laws, regulations, or game rules, including, but not limited to, restrictions pertaining to bulk ticket purchases.”
Arizona Lottery Executive Director Alec Thomson spelled out the thinking behind the rule on the lottery website saying, “Our goal is to ensure that every player has a fair chance at winning and that the integrity of our games remains strong. This update protects our players and supports the Lottery’s mission of maximizing net revenue in a responsible way.”
The new Fast Play rule is already in effect and it’s likely that other states will follow Arizona’s lead in cracking down on bulk lottery purchases.