Cash Only

[TPD]

As I was cashing in my winning lottery scratch-offs this morning (Christmas gift - won $47!), I realized that the lottery is probably the last remaining holdout of a cash only business, other than the street drug market, though I'm sure some dealers have wised up and will take your SNAP card. At least I think it is still only cash in Maryland. Why is that? If the state is trying to curb the sales of lottery tickets because of addiction, then why not do the same for cigarettes? Beer & whiskey? Mary Jane? Speeding tickets? Maryland was in the top 10 of lottery sales in 2022 - more than $4 billion in sales. That's a lot of cash! Some states allow debit cards to purchase lottery tickets but Maryland doesn't appear to be one of them.

This is proof that cash can still be king and if someone wants something bad enough, they will find the cash to purchase it.

Play responsibly - I'm not responsible for your addictions or losses. BTW - I love cash!

 

[Grumpy]

Some states allow debit cards to purchase lottery tickets but Maryland doesn't appear to be one of them.

I believe the self service machines (like in WaWa) accept credit/debit cards...I've never tried them, I always use cash.

 

[Kyle]

I believe the self service machines (like in WaWa) accept credit/debit cards...I've never tried them, I always use cash.

I tried one of those machines, one time and the ticket got hung up inside the machine somewhere and had to get a clerk to open it up and retrieve the ticket.

 

[TPD]

I believe the self service machines (like in WaWa) accept credit/debit cards...I've never tried them, I always use cash.

Ah-ha - I haven't seen one of those machines since our days of owning a grocery store, and our machine only took cash (that was 2005-2008). I guess I don't frequent the same establishments as you.

But still, that is only for scratch offs and not lottery tickets if those machines do accept credit cards.

Found this - according to this article, Maryland does not allow lottery ticket purchases with a credit card. Debit cards and checks seem to be another issue entirely.

Can you buy lottery tickets with a credit card - and what US states allow this? — Silver Lotto

Can you buy lottery tickets with a credit card in the US? And which states will let you purchase them?

silverlotto.com

 

[HemiHauler]

I think there might be a general proscription on using credit to gamble generally. You can’t buy gambling chips in Las Vegas with a credit card. Debit cards are a different story since that’s not credit. I suspect the same is true in other gambling destinations, but have only been to Las Vegas.

In fact, if I’m not mistaken, casino ATMs won’t allow cash advances on a credit card, so likely can’t do that as a work around. One might be able to visit a brick & mortar bank lobby with an ATM and use the cash, but many reasons why that’s a bad idea.

 

[stgislander]

I use the Lottery Kiosk all the time because I use my debit card. Was told by the ladies at Chief's, that you can't play with credit/debit at the old school scanner terminal.

Great! That way I don't have to deal with people.