Lotto winner 'ripped off by store owner'

A Lotto store owner accused of cheating a customer has had his franchise revoked and is facing criminal charges.

A regular customer of the accused Kapiti Coast man was sold a winning division two ticket worth $30,587 on September 2.

But the dairy owner allegedly scanned his ticket and handed him just $642, claiming he had won another division.

The Lotteries Commission has subsequently paid the customer his full prize and revoked the defendant's franchise licence.

Commission spokeswoman Helen Morgan-Banda confirmed the commission had investigated the incident but she could not comment as the matter was now before the court.

"We can say that our systems are very robust and we are satisfied with how the investigation was carried out," she said.

Detective Stuart Tayleforth said a 35-year-old man is due to appear in Porirua District Court on November 15 charged with using a document and obtaining by deception.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.

Mr Tayleforth said the dairy had now been sold and the new operator had nothing to do with the situation.

However, he said he would urge everyone playing Lotto to ensure they kept their receipts and even losing tickets, as recommended by the Lotteries Commission.

"They should also watch the screen as their tickets are checked and that will show them immediately which division they have won.

"They shouldn't just assume that everyone is to be trusted."

- NZPA