The Atlantic Lottery Corporation supports a plan by the P.E.I. government to make it illegal to sell lottery tickets to people under 18.
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Monday, February 18, 2008
P.E.I. Provincial Treasurer Wes Sheridan reaffirmed the government's plan for legislation to regulate the sale of lottery tickets Sunday, after hearing that an investigation by ALC found 28 of 35 retailers tested sold tickets to a minor.
"I'm very disappointed with those results, obviously this is not what we would like to be hearing to come out of this survey that ALC did," said Sheridan.
Selling the tickets to youth is not illegal, but it is against ALC's policy. Sheridan said he was pleased to hear that ALC had conducted the investigation.
Atlantic Lotto looks forward to legislation that would actually make it illegal to sell to minors, which Sheridan said could come this year.
"We welcome that legislation and believe that it's very important to help reinforce the importance that we place on this issue," said ALC spokeswoman Paula Dyke.
"The government has indicated that they will be considering that legislation and we certainly applaud them for that progressive move."
Sheridan said legislation regarding selling lottery tickets to minors would be part of working on a comprehensive gaming strategy now for Prince Edward Island. He hopes that review will be completed by the end of May.
The review is also looking at whether ALC should continue to police itself or if an independent body should do that.
