The State - News from May 1, 1985

California lottery officials said that people wishing to sell lottery tickets should watch out for bogus operations offering to help guide them through the application process and provide an inside track by paying up to $1,000. “The requirements and the directions for filling out the application forms (to be available May 31) will clearly be outlined on the form itself, and any clarification may be attained directly through the lottery staff,” said Harold Varner, interim lottery director. Under the voter-approved lottery plan, the first tickets were to be sold by March 22, but Varner said the first tickets will be sold no earlier than September. Lottery retailers, who purchase tickets from the state and sell them to the public, must be authorized by the state Lottery Commission. Retailers will receive a 5% commission for each ticket sold. Retailers must be free of felony or gambling-related criminal convictions, operate a business that has easy public access and be at least 18 years of age.