You want to know why the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) does not provide more specific information about jackpot tickets that are about to expire, including the location where they were purchased. You believe someone who normally buys tickets at the location will be more motivated to do a thorough search.

CLC has an established “lost ticket claim” policy that gives players the opportunity to make claims on lost or missing lottery tickets. Under the policy, CLC restricts the amount and type of information that it discloses to the public about any unclaimed ticket about to expire. This includes the retailer's location, date and time the ticket was sold, bet type, and other related information. CLC uses the information to help it investigate and determine the legitimacy of claims. Consequently, providing this information to the public would compromise investigations.

CLC uses various means to publicize the date that a winning jackpot will expire. It advertises the information on both radio and television. According to James McCormack, CLC legislative liaison, CLC understands:

that there is a tremendous amount of public interest in knowing where a winning ticket was sold, especially in instances where the ticket in question is a winning jackpot ticket. But, it has been the CLC's position that to maintain the integrity of the lost ticket policy and, hopefully, pay the winning prize to the individual that purchased the ticket, we do not release specific information regarding the purchase of the winning ticket, such as date of purchase, location or bet type.

Connecticut is one of only a few states that have a “lost ticket claim” policy, according to McCormack. States that do not have such a policy are more willing to disclose pertinent information about unclaimed winning tickets because they will make payments only if a claimant presents the winning ticket.

VR: dw