Agency accused of false advertising

Monday, Dec. 24, 2001 | 9:47 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SACRAMENTO -- Millions of Californians have played instant scratch-off state lottery games with no chance of winning the big advertised prizes, according to court documents and testimony by lottery officials.

A court trial next month challenges the practice, in which the California Lottery sold Scratcher tickets without notice after the big prizes are won. Lottery officials said they've now halted this practice.

"No one has a clue," says Los Angeles attorney Kevin Roddy, who sued the multibillion-dollar state lottery on behalf of a California player.

Lottery officials admitted the practice last summer in court, saying 11 Scratcher games since 1996 remained active -- with no announcements of the fact -- after grand prizes were awarded. But they also claim they aren't doing anything wrong. In court documents, they argued that state agencies are exempt from false-advertising laws.

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