Colorado Lottery Players Soon Can Buy Tickets With Credit Cards and Phones
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Big news for Colorado Lottery fans: soon, you won’t need cash to play. This week, the Colorado Lottery Commission announced that players will be able to buy lottery tickets using credit cards and even directly on their phones.
Lottery Director Tom Seaver told KRDO13, “Our mission is all about consumers and choice. These days, people carry less cash and prefer using credit or debit cards.”
The move is aimed at making it easier for everyone to participate. How often have you wanted to grab a ticket but realized your wallet was empty? Seaver said the change is meant to stop that frustrating moment and make the lottery more accessible.
Here’s what’s new:
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Buy tickets with credit cards at retail locations.
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Purchase tickets directly through the Colorado Lottery app.
However, not everyone is cheering. Kristen Haflett, a gambling addiction counselor in Colorado since 2011, warns that easier access could be risky. “Accessibility is one of the biggest triggers for people. When gambling is literally on your phone, it’s too easy to do it anywhere,” she said. Haflett has seen a rise in clients struggling as betting avenues have become more convenient.
KRDO13 asked Seaver about safety measures. He acknowledged the concern, saying other state lotteries have already implemented similar systems, which provides guidance on protections. While specifics aren’t finalized yet, they’re looking at ways to safeguard players.
Haflett hopes the app will include options for:
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Deposit limits
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Screen time limits
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Other controls to help people manage spending
She pointed out an important psychological factor: “When you use a credit card, the connection to your money is delayed. You don’t feel the immediate pain of spending, which can make gambling riskier.”
Even though the rules were approved this week, don’t expect immediate changes. Seaver said it will take several months to roll out both updates, though he couldn’t give a firm timeline yet.
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