We got a great question today from a lottery player, and I’m sharing our answer here in the blog because it’s an issue I’ll bet you’ve wondered about, too.
The woman sent this question to our Webmaster account: “Is it permissible for a retailer to sell me a lottery ticket using my debit card?”
Her question is addressed in Iowa law. Iowa Code Chapter 99G.30(5) states the following: “The retailer may accept payment by cash, check, money order, debit card, or electronic funds transfer. The retailer shall not extend or arrange credit for the purchase of a ticket or share. As used in this subsection, ‘cash’ means United States currency.”
In plain speak, that means you can use cash, money orders and checks to buy Iowa Lottery tickets. And, because using a debit card is the same as writing a check, the use of those cards also is OK. But the use of credit cards is not OK.
One caveat, though: While a lottery retailer may accept a check or debit card for the payment of lottery tickets, the retailer is not required to do so. Check with your local retailer to see if the store has a policy about that.
Comments