What Part Of "It's Illegal" Do You Not Understand?

[BrenDAnn]

Today was my first day back at the C-store after four beautiful, relaxing days off. I didn't want to go back, and for good reason. It was insanely busy, and I knew trouble was brewing. Thankfully, that trouble was only one customer. Unfortunately, that one customer was the SC of the day. He came in, got gas & a pack of batteries, then requested $20 worth of lottery scratchers. I ring everything up, and what does he pull out to pay? A credit card. Background: In Iowa, it is ILLEGAL to sell lotto/lottery tickets on credit cards. Dunno why. Just is. Anyway...

ME: I'm sorry, Sir, but I can't do those lottery tickets on a credit card. It's illegal.
HIM: I've gotten them at every other gas station on this card!
ME: Well, I can let you pay with a debit, but not a credit. I'm sorry.
HIM: *pissed off, points at card on counter* Fine! Just put the gas & batteries on there!
ME: Alright *voids transaction* Just the gas and batteries then.
HIM: Just the gas and batteries, You can keep your lottery tickets! I'll take it elsewhere!
ME: *processes his transaction* I'm sorry, Sir.
HIM: Whatever. I'll just go somewhere else where they'll let me do it! *huffs, grabs stuff and leaves*

Whatever, fucktard. Because of you I had to put 6 tickets back that I had torn off of the rolls. What part of "It's Illegal" were you not able to comprehend? I don't make the laws--I just follow them, because I kind of need my job. I'm sorry if that doesn't please your haughty, entitled ass! As the customer behind him said to me, just because others have done it, doesn't make it legal! Gah!

[Zellie Crescent]

His way of thinking was: It's not illegal if it's for meee!

[hawkchick11]

Hey a fellow Iowan!

I got stuck behind a guy the other day who was pissed that he couldn't pay for his Powerball tickets with his credit card. What was even better was the fact that he had a huge wad of cash in his wallet.

I've always wondered why you can't use a credit card to purchase them but I'm not going to stand there and argue with them about it.

[BrenDAnn]

Well hi there! Yeah, it's odd, they'll let you write all the checks you want, use your debit card all you want, blow all the cash you want on lottery...but not a credit card. I guess maybe to keep chronic gamblers from running up credit card debt that they can't repay? I really haven't the slightest. It's just interesting how pissy people get when I tell them though!

[Victory Sabre]

It's also illegal in Minnesota, as well, to buy lottery tickets with a credit card.

[Teskeria]

Because for lottery tickets. money orders and Travelers cheques they require cash. A debit card counts as it withdraws the money directly from your checking/savings account. However a credit card is not cash, it's money that itsn't really there.

[hinakiba777]

. I guess maybe to keep chronic gamblers from running up credit card debt that they can't repay?!

This sounds like a good reason. It makes total sense!

[BrenDAnn]

Thank you, Teskeria, that makes sense! Also interesting to know the different laws regarding it around the country.

[Food Lady]

Is it legal anywhere? I wouldn't think so. And I don't believe he used his card elsewhere. He's probably lying.

[chikenlady]

money orders and Travelers cheques they require cash. A debit card counts as it withdraws the money directly from your checking/savings account.

Money orders and travelers cheques must be purchased so they already have been paid for. They would not require cash at a store.

[RetailMom]

Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky all require cash, check, or PIN based debit. I think maybe it is a standard across the country. Credit cards bring up all kind of potential issues.

[Stressball]

We have something similar in Queensland, Australia. I work in the Gaming industry (read: pokies), fortunately not in a customer-centric role. I fix the damn things. Still, I regularly see people complaining that there is no ATM in the hotel/pub/club to get money from for the pokies, or that they can't withdraw cash off their credit cards.

In QLD, it is illegal to borrow or loan money for the purpose of gambling. Any establishment or individual that loans money knowing that it is for the purpose of gambling can face huge penalties. If it happens in a gaming room, the nominated gaming attendee for the venue loses their gaming licence and can't so much as touch the machines in any capacity other than playing them anymore.

You also have to be over 18 and I believe paying cash to pay for lotto tickets here too, not certain if that's nationally or state-wide only though. We have a habit in Australia of spreading legislation across states instead of the whole country, so moving from NSW to QLD can mean big changes in weapons, drivers licence, gaming, drinking, pretty much anything.

[Racket_Man]

one of the other reason it is usually against the rules to buy lottery in any form with a CC is for one very simple reason ----- You CAN dispute CC charges ----

as in someone buys lotto/lottery tickets with a valid OR STOLEN CC. then you or the card owner dispute the charge then you get to keep the tickets and the store get screwed out of the money and the tickets.

and in at least in my state or the chain I worked for Lotto/Lottery was cash or debt ONLY. checks could not be used again for the same reason, as in stop payment or stolen checks OR kiting. same outcome you get the tickets and the store is out tickets and money

[mattm04]

I'm not sure about the laws in my state, but almost every store I have been in has a sign saying "cash only" for lottery purchases.

[jnd4rusty]

It is illegal in South Dakota also. Hi neighbors in Iowa! My mom's fam is from Iowa and my man's sis and mom live there also.