Buying Lottery Tickets in Colorado Is About to Change in a Big Way
For many Coloradans, lottery tickets are a classic birthday or holiday gift — that small thrill of scratching off a ticket and hoping for a lucky win. But the next time you pick one up, you might notice a major change at the register.
Colorado Will Soon Allow Credit Card Purchases for Lottery Tickets
The Colorado Lottery Commission has approved a significant rule change: residents will soon be able to buy lottery tickets using a credit card. Until now, purchases were limited to cash or debit.
Some Lawmakers Are Pushing Back
Not everyone is happy about the shift. Several state legislators say they were left out of the decision-making process and argue the new rule could encourage risky spending.
“I don’t think that you should be able to buy lottery tickets on credit cards,” said state Rep. William Lindstedt. “I think that’s a mistake, and I wish I had the opportunity to weigh in on those rules as a legislator.”
Lawmakers from both parties are now pressing the Lottery Commission to include them in future decisions on major policy changes.
Gov. Jared Polis Says It’s About Modernization
Governor Jared Polis supports the move, calling it a modernization effort that improves convenience for consumers. With this change, Colorado becomes the 24th state in the nation to allow credit card purchases for lottery tickets.
When Will the Change Take Effect?
The new policy likely won’t roll out until sometime next year. Even then, individual retailers won’t be required to accept credit cards — the decision will remain entirely up to each merchant.
So if you’re grabbing a last-minute scratch ticket as a gift, it may still be safest to bring cash or a debit card.
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