The Maine State Lottery announced today the enactment of a new law designed to protect the integrity, fairness, and public trust of lottery games by restricting the bulk purchasing of lottery tickets by individuals and organized groups. Recently signed by Governor Mills, the legislation is now in effect and prohibits individuals, consortiums, organizations, or other entities from purchasing lottery tickets in large quantities with the intent of increasing the likelihood of securing top prizes. By closing this gap, the Maine State Lottery aims to ensure a level playing field for all players and preserve the intended spirit of lottery games as entertainment for the general public.
This proactive measure was implemented to address emerging practices observed across multiple jurisdictions, where out-of-state entities temporarily enter markets to buy high volumes of tickets in pursuit of jackpot wins. Prior to this law, there were no restrictions on bulk ticket purchases, consistent with many states nationwide. “This new law reinforces our commitment to fairness and integrity in lottery play,” said Louis Luchini, Director, Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations. “This action helps ensure that no individual or group can gain an unfair advantage through large-scale purchasing strategies.” The Maine State Lottery joins a growing number of lotteries across the country taking similar steps to address bulk purchasing practices.
