Do grocery stores and gas stations make money selling lottery tickets?

Yes, why else would they use space in their store to house them?

I remember reading some place that they get $.05 for every dollar sold and get something like $10K if they sell the winner grand prize on Megamillion, Powerball, and certain large scratches.

very very little

Nearly every time I go in to buy a Schmitz bull malt liquor I pick up some scratch offs.

vicious cycle...

The answers to your questions are HERE or described below.

quote:

---

If so, how much?

---

In Louisiana, I believe it is 5% commission on sales, also a lower percentage(0.50%-2.0%) for cashing tickets from $1-$600.

quote:

---

I underestand selling tickets may get people into the store and they may buy something else.

---

True, most gamblers will by cigarettes and/or alcohol with their lottery purchases.

quote:

---

It's capped at 10k.

---

Nah, selling the winning Powerball/Megamillion ticket guarantees the retailer at least $25,000.00 or 1% of states total sale.

Here's a Louisiana retailer selling bonus list:

Lotto jackpots (1 percent of prize)
Easy 5 jackpots (1 percent of prize)
Powerball's match-5 prize (1 percent of prize, including Power Play or $10,000-$20,000)
Powerball jackpots (minimum of $25,000 or 1 percent of Louisiana's contribution to the jackpot prize pool)
Mega Millions match-5 prize (1 percent of prize, including Megaplier or $2,500 - $10,000)
Mega Millions jackpots (minimum of $25,000 or 1 percent of Louisiana's contribution to the jackpot prize pool).

quote:

---

Daily sales do not cover the additional phone line that the machine requires. Cokes and chips make it barely break even.

---

You're talking out your arse now. At a half decent retailer, they would break even or make a money after the retailers are charged a $20 weekly fee to defray telecommunication linecosts. Retailers only need to sell $60 daily to break even. BTW, you do not need a dedicated phone line because the machine runs on cellular service.