Lottery fans in Canada have been watching developments in the case of a British Columbian lottery closely this week. Revelations that the B.C. Lottery Corporation failed to pay out some winners their correct prize money has made headlines in Canadian media. The case made the news following comments by provincial ombudsman Kim Carter that the government-owned corporation failed to implement proper procedures to ensure winnings were paid out correctly.
According to an interview aired on CBC News, Solicitor General John Les has requested a full audit of the lottery industry. "It defies belief that the lottery corporation didn't know there was likely criminal fraud going on against the public," Les told CBC.
BC Lottery Corporation's CEO Vic Poleschuk and company chairman John McLernon told media that they have no intentions of resigning in the wake of Carter's report. Both executives have expressed regret over the findings, however deny that there is adequate evidence to suggest that any member of the pubic has been the victim of fraud through the company's approved retailers. They also committed to take responsibility for further issues.
Carter's report has revealed that a high number of wins have been awarded to ticket retailers in the lottery industry. The ombudsman wrote that one retailer has enjoyed won over $300,000 on 11 separate occasions in the last five years, while other B.C. Lottery Corporation employees and retailers have also been exceptionally lucky.

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