The Florida Lottery announced today the successful shutdown of The Lotter, an unauthorized online courier service that was illegally selling Florida Lottery tickets. The swift action underscores the Lottery’s commitment to protecting players, maintaining the integrity of its games, and upholding state laws.
“The Florida Lottery shuts down rogue operators who could potentially scam people in Florida,” said John F. Davis, Secretary for the Florida Lottery. “We are fully committed to supporting the integrity of the Florida Lottery, which benefits education in our state while ensuring that every player has the opportunity to participate in a fair game. Bad actors, beware.”
READ: Winter Haven Woman Wins $1 Million Playing Florida Lottery Scratch-Off Game
The Lotter, in partnership with lottery retailer ZaZa Accessories, was found to be unlawfully acting as an intermediary for purchasing lottery tickets. Routine monitoring and enforcement efforts by the Florida Lottery’s security team led to the discovery of the illegal operation.
“We take any attempt to undermine the fairness and trust of the Florida Lottery very seriously,” said Steven Harriett, Director of Security for the Florida Lottery. “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 authorized retailers. We will continue to work closely with law enforcement to root out illegal activities and maintain the public’s confidence in the Florida Lottery.”
Players are urged to purchase tickets only from authorized retailers. Using unauthorized third-party services like The Lotter is not only illegal but also exposes consumers to risks such as fraud, misrepresentation, and the potential forfeiture of winnings.
READ: 5 Florida Lottery Scratch-Off Players Won Combined $5 Million Last Week
Revenue from the Florida Lottery funds educational programs across the state. Protecting the integrity of its operations ensures that these funds continue to benefit Florida’s students and schools. The Lottery’s decisive action reinforces its mission to provide a secure and fair gaming experience for all participants.
The Florida Lottery encourages anyone with concerns or knowledge of unauthorized lottery activity to report it immediately. Players can verify authorized retailers on the Florida Lottery’s official website.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.