Arkansas lottery ticket sales increase number of customer visits

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

— Since lottery sales began in Pea Ridge on Sept. 28, the biggest winning ticket sold in Pea Ridge was a $500 scratch ticket, according to Nick Cotton, White Oak Station district manager for northwest Arkansas.

The biggest winning ticket in Cotton’s region was a $17,777 ticket sold in Berryville, Ark.

The White Oak Station in Pea Ridge, as does every White Oak Station owned by PetroMark Inc., sells 26 games including various scratch-off games Powerball and Pick Three Lotto. The game Mega Millions, an interstate-funded game, will be introduced at the end of March.

“You have some (people) thatwant to buy a whole roll (of tickets), regardless of the game,” Cotton said, adding that each book of tickets has a retail value of $300. “It varies depending on funds available with the people.”

When asked how the sale of lottery tickets affects Pea Ridge, Cotton responded “It’s too early to tell.”

On Sept. 17, a class was held at the Fayetteville Public Library to train all White Oak Station employees on the operation of machines and new laws they would encounter in selling tickets.

In Arkansas, the legal age to purchase lottery tickets is 18.

There are also limits on winning that can be cashed at store level, depending on the store and available funds. Winning ticketscan be cashed in any Arkansas store.

Any winnings over $500 are cashed either through the mailor at the lottery office. The closest office to Pea Ridge is in Springdale.

Cotton said the reaction atmidnight on the first day of sales was “a rush of people ... unusual traffic for that time of night in all stores.”

“We’ve increased customer counts at all stores,” Cotton said. “It has helped us in the industry, yes. It’s been a plus over all by increasing customer flow.”

As far as an increase in profit for the company, Cotton said the company does not share their figures. The store receives a small commission for selling and cashing tickets, and there is no sales tax included in the purchase price.

Lottery tickets are also sold at E-Z Mart and the Tobacco Station in Pea Ridge; at the Buss Stop, Short Stop and Wright Stop in Garfield; and at the Avoca One Stop in Avoca.

News, Pages 1 on 03/17/2010