Legal Question... About an Idea- LOTTERY?

Question

I have a little idea. I seem to always come up with "little Ideas" and most of the time they amount to nothing. BUT here is my latest idea;

I have the perfect little setup. a small business in a small Alabama town. lots of foot traffic and the right kind of customers for this type of thing.

My idea, on sunday's go buy lottery tickets (quick picks for the "big one"). and then sell them for $3 to $5.

I see the possibility of being able to sell maybe 500 tickets or more per-week. Not a gold mind, but nice extra money.

Quick picks only. E.g. when I sold a ticket it would be a single ticket for cash, the customer walks away with ticket in hand.

IS it legal to do this? If you are not certain then, respectfully, don't answer please. Lawyers.... got your ears on? =)
Thanks.

since it's looking like this is not going to work... I will answer the question of "why would someone buy a ticket from me?"

There is no lottery in Alabama. I'm far enough north of Florida and far enough west of Georgia. People around here would play the lottery and would be willing to pay the price. They could not even buy the gas to get out of town to go and buy a ticket for themselves for 5-bucks. Also to play the closest lottery to my location is 4-hrs round trip to get the ticket.

True enough about the law of reselling a ticket... but that is a florida law. the sale would occur in alabama.

also, could you point out the alabama code on "promoting gambling."

Churches around here are always selling a $2 ticket for a drawing on a $300 dollar shotgun. Eg: They sell $500 tickets for a chance at the gun. And one person does win the gun. They pocket the other $700- bucks though.

Is this legal? I've yet to see a preacher locked up for this.

City services such as our "Rescue Squad" also do this type of raffle thing to raise money.

Thoughts comments?

thanks for your answer Patrick. I'm not being sute.... but... Are you a lawyer?
If you are could you eloborate about the comments I made about "church Lotteries" ect.
Thanks

I understand the alabama law of non-profit fund raisers.

But If what I am Talking about is "promoting gambling" (not sure about the felon aspect, or if this is even true) how do churches get around the "promoting gambling" law?

Sorry Partick, if you are a lawyer I would not hire you=)
Section 13A-12-22

Promoting gambling.
(a) A person commits the crime of promoting gambling if he knowingly advances or profits from unlawful gambling activity otherwise than as a player.

(b) Promoting gambling is a Class A misdemeanor.

I HAVE READ MOST OF WHAT I CAN UNDERSTAND OF THE CODE. WHAT I MAKE OF IT IS THAT THERE IS NOT "CLEAR CUT" ANSWER TO MY QUESTION BY ALABAMA LAW.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO TAKE A SHOT AT ME..... I NEED A REAL ANSWER TO THE THINGS POSTED HERE.

Answer 1

You may not legally resell lottery tickets in the state of Alabama. You would be guilty of a felony of promoting gambling.

Answer 2

It's not legal. Take a look at the fine print on your lottery tickets. They're not for resale.

Most states use lottery money as a source of revenue and you can buy them almost anywhere so why would someone pay you more for something they can buy for less right next door.

Answer 3

Some lotteries have rules about reselling tickets. You might need to carefully read the rules of the lottery.

However, my question is why would a person buy a ticket from you?

Why could they not just go and buy them where you buy them?

Answer 4

You should check with your State's Attorney General. It is possible that nonprofit organizations can have lotteries as fundraisers, but commercial establishments cannot.