The Charlotte Observer today explores an interesting trend developing between convenience store clerks and owners and lottery winners.
Apparently, store owners are winning big jackpots multiple times over.
One case in point – the B&S Variety store – a small convenience
market located just off Interstate 40 near Morganton. The owner of the
store – Becky Ozmun – won a dozen jackpots in about 13 months –
including a $10,000 payout and a $150,000 prize.
market located just off Interstate 40 near Morganton. The owner of the
store – Becky Ozmun – won a dozen jackpots in about 13 months –
including a $10,000 payout and a $150,000 prize.
I don't have a problem with these people playing the lottery and winning, what I have a problem with is the apparent apathy of lottery officials to even lift a finger to investigate the possibility of irregularities. Lottery director Tom Shaheen basically blows off the winnings as sheer coincidence:
But mention repeat winners to Tom Shaheen, the Executive Director of
the North Carolina Education Lottery, and he says, “Anything in life
can happen.” Shaheen doesn’t see a big problem. “If there were
thousands of cases of this I would say yes there is a problem.” But
Shaheen says retailers win a lot because they play a lot. “We have had
retailers that have won multiple times but no different from other
players,” he says.
the North Carolina Education Lottery, and he says, “Anything in life
can happen.” Shaheen doesn’t see a big problem. “If there were
thousands of cases of this I would say yes there is a problem.” But
Shaheen says retailers win a lot because they play a lot. “We have had
retailers that have won multiple times but no different from other
players,” he says.
Is it that lottery officials don't care, or do they not want the bad publicity that would come from an investigation into store owners gaming the system?
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