SENATE RESOLUTION No. 70

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED NOVEMBER 7, 1996

By Senators CASEY and SINGER

A Senate Resolution memorializing the Congress of the United States to pass legislation to remedy the circumstances preventing Scott Wenner from collecting his winning Texas lottery ticket and to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Whereas, Scott Wenner, a 12-year police veteran from Riverside, New Jersey, purchased the ticket with the winning numbers for the State of Texas' November 23, 1994, $10.4 million lottery jackpot drawing; and

Whereas, Mr. Wenner purchased that winning ticket through Pic-A-$tate, Inc., in Croyden, Pennsylvania; and

Whereas, The Texas Lottery Commission refused to honor that winning lottery ticket and announced it will not pay the disputed claim; and

Whereas, The commission concluded that the purchase of the winning ticket through Pic-A-$tate violated various Texas lottery laws because the ticket was sold by an unlicensed agent and resold at more than its face value; and

Whereas, The commission argued that the ticket purchase also violated federal laws prohibiting interstate trafficking of lottery information and the use of wire communications to place wagers in a state lottery; and

Whereas, Recently a federal judge in Houston dismissed Wenner's lawsuit appealing the commission's decision; and

Whereas, Scott Wenner is a victim of these circumstances, unaware of the prohibitions and acting under the belief that he paid one dollar for the lottery ticket and one dollar for a service fee; and

Whereas, It is time for the Congress to remedy this inequity and to prevent similar occurrences in the future by passing appropriate legislation; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

    1. This House memorializes the Congress of the United States to pass legislation to remedy the circumstances preventing Scott Wenner from collecting his winning $10.4 million Texas lottery ticket and to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the presiding officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States Congress and to every member of Congress elected from this State.

STATEMENT

    This resolution memorializes the Congress of the United States to pass legislation to remedy the circumstances preventing Scott Wenner from collecting his winning $10.4 million Texas lottery ticket and to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Memorializes Congress to pass legislation to remedy situation preventing New Jersey resident from collecting winning ticket in Texas lottery and to prevent future occurrences.