Attorney General's News Release

September 20, 2005

Company that claimed to sell winning lottery numbers will pay refund, penalties under agreement with Nixon

Jefferson City, Mo. — A Buffalo, N.Y., company that told consumers they could buy winning lottery numbers will issue full refunds to Missouri residents and will cease to do business in Missouri under a court-approved agreement with Attorney General Jay Nixon.

An assurance of voluntary compliance filed in Cole County Circuit Court orders Multi-Plays of America Inc. to cease contacting Missouri consumers by any means, and to provide a full refund to any Missouri consumer who contacts the company and requests one. The company is also prohibited from selling or otherwise sharing contact information of any Missouri consumer, and must pay $2,000 to the Missouri Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund.

"The selection of numbers by the Missouri Lottery is a random process, and anyone who tells you they can predict what numbers will come up is purely guessing. You would be just as well off getting numbers from a fortune cookie," Nixon said. "But one thing is for sure: If anyone tries to take money from Missouri consumers by saying otherwise, eventually their luck will run out."

Nixon alleged that at least eight Missouri consumers paid Multi-Plays between $118 to $671 each, for a total of $2,330, for "recommended" numbers to play in the Missouri lottery drawing that the company claimed put them "one step closer to actually winning some money off your state lottery."

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818