Prize Tickets

I had a good chuckle reading your story (Dec. 24) about how the California Lottery Commission has been accused of using “false and misleading advertising and marketing tactics” by Santa Anita Race Track.

Some of Santa Anita’s claims are indeed valid. Receiving another lottery ticket as a prize is not really “winning” anything. The value of the prize does not exceed the price you have to pay for the chance to win it. And, according to your article, there is a 9 out of 10 chance of it, too, not being worth any cash. It also takes quite a bit of imagination to see how any of the prize amounts over $5 that are not paid “then and there,” could be considered “an instant winner.”

But before we all go out and nominate Santa Anita for the Consumer Advocate of the Year, remember these are the same people whose own radio ads said “This is what a $2 investment paid off last week at Santa Anita . . . “

I guess it goes to help prove an old adage, “It takes one to know one!”

ED MAGNIN

Torrance