MONTREAL (CN) - When lottery games are especially popular, Loto-Quebec prints and sells extra tickets that have no chance of winning the top prize, a class action claims in Superior Court.
Plaintiffs say the Province of Quebec has cheated lottery players since 2001 in a variety of scratch-off games.
"When a 'game' proves popular by generating higher sales, Loto-Quebec may choose to print and distribute another 'game' order of additional tickets for sale in order to generate additional revenue," the complaint states. "At some point for each of these re-ordered games, Loto-Quebec receives actual notice that the last top prize from the first series of packs or 'game' has been claimed. After this point, the Loto-Quebec knows that there are no remaining tickets from the first 'game' order with the promised chance of winning the top prize."
Plaintiffs say that Loto-Quebec has the means to recall and stop selling the remaining tickets in the game, but does not do it, "in order to maximize revenue. This is done with no notice to consumers, despite actual knowledge that it is breaching its obligations to provide consumers some chance at winning a top prize," the complaint states.
Plaintiffs seek compensation and exemplary damages, and they want the government ordered to publish the claim in newspapers. They are represented by Merchant Law Group.
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