N.C. Lawmakers Consider Banning Welfare Recipients From Playing State Lottery

If you’re a North Carolina resident with a penchant for playing the lottery, you’re number may be up.

“North Carolina lawmakers are drafting legislation that would ban people on welfare or those who are in bankruptcy from buying lottery tickets,” ABC 11 report.

Should it pass, the bill would fine any vendor who knowingly sells lottery tickets to someone on welfare or in bankruptcy, Republican Congressman Paul Stam told ABC11.

However, the proposal is not going over well with some store owners who say it will force them to police their customers.

"I don't feel comfortable for somebody ask why or your financial things, so it's not my business," Peace Street Market's clerk Aref Peroz said.

Rep. Stam maintains that if customer are obviously on welfare (i.e. if they pay for their groceries with food stamps), they shouldn't be allowed to purchase lotto tickets.

Barring welfare recipients from participating in the state lotto would affect some 1.7 million North Carolinians.

"We're giving them welfare to help them live, and yet by selling them a ticket, we're taking away their money that is there to provide them the barest of necessities," Stam said.

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