Despite a New Mexico state statute requiring all lottery tickets to be purchased with cash or a check only—not credit cards–players now may purchase tickets at gasoline pumps. At the pump, players must verify their year of birth and pump their gas before they can receive their tickets.
The new program has state legislators concerned. State Rep. Bill McCamley said, “If someone takes their parent’s debit card and goes and purchases gas, can they buy lottery tickets? We think the answer to that is yes.” McCamley and 12 other state lawmakers signed a letter claiming the New Mexico Lottery proceeded with the project without legislative approval.
A spokesman for the New Mexico Lottery Commission said, “Using a debit card is simply an electronic check and retailers have used debit cards in the past, according to our sales director.”
Lawmakers will have to wait until the next legislative session to address the situation.
