Experts Concerned by Costco’s Sale of Scratch-Tickets
Costco recently began selling scratch tickets from Loto-Québec, igniting a mix of excitement and concern among various experts. Since October 27, members have been able to purchase the scratch game titled “1000 $ en folie.” This collaboration marks the first time Loto-Québec has partnered with the retail giant.
Sales Details and Game Information
The scratch ticket is available exclusively at Costco, priced at $17.99. Buyers can find it in the gift card aisle and exchange a promotional card at checkout. The game offers a chance to win up to $1,000 or one of five grand prizes of $75,000.
Concerns about Gambling Normalization
Experts in addiction treatment have raised alarms about the accessibility and marketing strategy surrounding these tickets. Anne Élizabeth Lapointe, Director of Maison Jean-Lapointe in Montreal, expressed concern that increasing the points of sale for gambling products could escalate the risk of addiction, especially among vulnerable individuals.
Andrée-Anne Légaré, a psychologist at the University of Sherbrooke, criticized the placement of the tickets alongside common consumer products, such as candy bars and laundry soap. She noted that this normalizes gambling, making it appear as a regular gift item.
- Ticket Price: $17.99 (compared to most scratch tickets costing $2 to $5).
- Winning Odds: 1 in 3.9 for a prize.
Marketing Strategies Under Scrutiny
The promotional strategy has also attracted criticism. Although Costco markets the ticket as having a value of $20, it is sold at a reduced price for members. Experts argue this practice could mislead consumers, particularly those struggling with gambling issues.
Sylvia Kairouz from Concordia University highlighted that higher-priced tickets often attract more problematic gambling behavior. She pointed out that attempting to sell tickets in a typical shopping environment raises ethical questions.
Financial Impact and Regulatory Gaps
For the fiscal year 2024-2025, the category comprising scratch tickets generated $303.4 million for Loto-Québec. Despite the financial benefit to the gaming firm, experts argue that there is a significant lack of regulation in Quebec regarding gambling practices.
They call for the establishment of an independent regulatory body to evaluate the risks associated with new gambling products before they are marketed. Such oversight could help mitigate potential addiction issues linked to gambling normalization.
Currently, Costco has not provided any comments on the controversy surrounding the sale of these tickets. As this situation unfolds, experts continue to advocate for a more responsible approach to marketing gambling products in retail spaces.
