The Region - News from Oct. 21, 1985

A Southern California discount store chain has sued the California State Lottery for the right to sell tickets at less than $1. The 99-Cents Only chain was ordered on the first day of the contest to stop selling the $1 tickets for 99 cents, because officials said the voter-approved lottery initiative bars discounts, unless they are approved by the Lottery Commission. Attorney Barry Silver, representing the 10-store chain, said the rule conflicts with others allowing retailers to give away tickets and violates standard contractual procedures. He is seeking a ruling in Los Angeles Superior Court that would allow the stores to sell the tickets for 99 cents, with the penny-per-ticket discount coming from the stores’ commissions.