Retailers busted rigging lottery game in Connecticut

At least two lottery retailers in Connecticut are facing charges after authorities said they manipulated the 5 Card Cash lottery game, local media reported.

Back in November, the state’s Department of Consumer Protection shut down the 5 Card Cash game after officials noticed that there were way too many instant winning tickets that were printed by the winning machines, according to the Hartford Courant.

An ensuing investigation resulted in last week’s arrest of six people, who were either owners or employees of the convenience stores involved in the scheme. Of the six, two men—Vikas Patel, 32, and Pravnav Patel, 32—were each charged with three felony counts of first-degree larceny, first-degree computer crimes and rigging a game, according to the report.

Charges for several other lottery dealers are expected to follow.