A Florida Lottery investigation led to the arrest of a retail employee.
The investigation conducted by the Florida Lottery’s Division of Security.
The case originated during a Florida Lottery retailer compliance operation at Bay Food Mart in Panama City in Bay County. The investigation determined that Rohail Khan, a store clerk, allegedly failed to follow required procedures after processing a scratch-off compliance ticket designed to simulate a valid $1,000 winning play. Rather than returning the ticket along with the required claim instructions, the investigation determined that Khan retained both items.
The investigation also revealed that the ticket was later scanned through the Florida Lottery mobile app shortly after the compliance operation concluded.
Days later, an individual arrived at Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee attempting to claim the same prize. The investigation ultimately determined the ticket had allegedly been sold by Khan for $800, in violation of state law prohibiting the transfer or sale of Florida 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. “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.”
Portions of the proceeds from Florida Lottery games contribute billions of dollars annually to education funding, including support for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. Efforts to improperly profit from prize claims reduce resources intended for students and families throughout the state.
Following the investigation, Rohail 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.
The Florida Lottery’s Division of Security works alongside local, state, and federal partners to safeguard Lottery operations and ensure compliance across all retail locations statewide.
The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $50 billion to enhance education and sending more than one million students to Florida’s colleges, universities, and technical schools through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery reinvests 99 percent of its revenue into Florida’s economy through prize payouts, commissions to more than 13,600 Lottery retailers, and transfers to education. Since 1988, Florida Lottery games have paid over $106.5 billion in prizes and created more than 4,521 millionaires.
