CT Lottery Suspends Game Amid Cheating Investigation

The Connecticut Lottery has halted the sales and payouts for its 5 Card Cash game after it learned some retailers might have been cheating the system.

According to Connecticut Lottery officials, some retailers might have intentionally manipulated the reporting mechanism on the lottery terminals for their own personal gain. Officials did not say which retailers or exactly how the terminals were being manipulated.

The game was suspended to install new software to enhance the security features of the game, the CT Lottery said in a release on Thursday night.

"Integrity is paramount, and this temporary suspension, an unusual step, allows us to bring the game back in a very short period of time," Anne Noble, CT Lottery president and CEO, said.

The game allows players a chance at winning a progressive jackpot by having a winning "hand" of cards, like in a poker game.

The cost of a standard ticket is $2, but players have an option of going "All in" for $3, and a chance a greater winnings. A daily drawing gives players a second chance at winning a jackpot of up to $255,555.

The Department of Consumer Protection is investigating the incidents.

Players with winning 5 Card Cash tickets will be able to cash them when sales resume, according to CT Lottery officials. That could be as early as next week, they said.

No other CT Lottery games are affected.

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