News writer
An Ohio man scratched his $2 “I'm Lucky and I Gnome It” ticket and thought his luck had finally turned around. Instead, his big $5,000 win vanished right before his eyes. Frustrated and seeking answers, the man found himself on an unexpected journey that led straight to the Ohio Lottery Commission, and eventually, the news.
The numbers on the ticket were difficult to read
About two weeks ago, James Lester said he bought a $2 “I'm Lucky and I Gnome It” scratch-off ticket from the Ohio Lottery. After scratching the ticket, the man thought he had won $5,000.
He wanted to make sure he had a winner, so he told WEWS, “I scanned it, and it said loser and I'm like, 'Oh no. My phone is tripping.'”
Lester was confused and wasted no time as he made his way back to the store where he purchased the ticket.
He told the media outlet, “I asked the gentleman, the regional manager down there, and I'm like, 'Sir, can you please tell me what this number is?'”
No one was providing answers
As it turns out, the regional manager couldn't provide him any answers on what the number was. Lester wasn't getting answers from anyone, so he said he reached out to the Ohio Lottery Commission and then eventually to WEWS in hopes of getting some kind of answer.
Lester said, “I've questioned it so far; I came to the news channel and that's bad.”
As it turns out, coming to the news channel finally provided him an answer to what happened.
WEWS reached out to the Ohio Lottery Commission on behalf of Lester, and they responded in an email saying:
The Ohio Lottery Commission received a complaint in late October that the numbers on the ticket were difficult to read clearly, so we decided it was best to reprint with a font that was cleaner. Tickets were reprinted, and sales reps are working to remove the old tickets from the field, but if the previously printed version was still sold it was still a valid ticket and would be paid if it were a winning ticket.
Things became more clear
After reprinting the ticket, it clearly showed Lester's ticket was, indeed, not a winner. He told WEWS, “I feel like I've been tricked.”
While Lester feels he has been tricked, the Ohio Lottery Commission advises any player who has a question about whether or not their ticket is a winner to scan the barcode or send it to the lottery headquarters to be reviewed by their claims office.
“I want them to print stuff and make sure it's plain as day for somebody,” said Lester. “It's just not fair.”
No more gambling
While Lester told WEWS that he has spent a lot of time and money gambling, this experience has changed that for him.
He said, “I quit playing the Ohio Lottery as of that day. Quit playing. Will not play Ohio Lottery again.”
While Lester claims he will not be playing the Ohio Lottery anymore, if you do, please remember to play responsibly.
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