PANAMA CITY, Fla. (CBS12) — A Bay County convenience store employee was arrested after a Florida Lottery security investigation into the alleged mishandling and sale of a winning scratch-off ticket.
The Florida Lottery announced on Tuesday that its case began during a routine retailer compliance operation at Bay Food Mart in Panama City. Investigators determined that store clerk Rohail Khan allegedly failed to follow required procedures after processing a compliance ticket designed to appear as a legitimate $1,000 winner. Instead of returning the ticket to the customer along with claim instructions, Khan allegedly kept both the ticket and the documentation.
Authorities said the investigation revealed that the ticket was later scanned using the Florida Lottery mobile app shortly after the compliance operation concluded. Days later, an individual traveled to Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee, attempting to claim the same prize. Investigators ultimately determined that the ticket had allegedly been sold by Khan for $800, violating state law that prohibits the transfer or sale of lottery prize claims.
“Retailers are entrusted with following strict procedures that protect players and ensure fairness in every Lottery transaction,” said Florida Lottery Acting Secretary Reginald D. Dixon in a statement. “When those procedures are disregarded for personal benefit, it compromises the system we rely on. Our Division of Security will continue conducting compliance operations and pursuing accountability wherever violations occur.”
See also: Florida man strikes gold at Walmart with $1 million scratch-off ticket
The Florida Lottery emphasized that such violations have broader consequences beyond individual cases. Proceeds from lottery games contribute billions of dollars annually to education funding across the state, including support for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. Officials said efforts to improperly profit from prize claims can reduce resources intended for students and families.
Following the investigation, Khan was arrested and charged with one count of dealing in stolen property and one count of unlawfully selling the right to claim a lottery prize, according to the news release. It was not immediately known whether he had obtained legal representation.
The Florida Lottery’s Division of Security said it will continue working with local, state, and federal partners to ensure compliance at retail locations statewide and to protect the integrity of lottery operations.
