Ohio lottery scratch-off shortage over as warehouse shutdown because of coronavirus opens

An Ohio lottery warehouse was temporarily shutdown because someone at the facility tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Scientific Games facility in Solon, Ohio, which distributes scratch-off games to retailers across the state, was temporarily closed after a positive coronavirus case. The facility reopened last week.

“The health and safety of our employees and retail partners continues to be our highest priority,” said Danielle Frizzi-Babb, spokeswoman for the Ohio Lottery Commission.

Complete coronavirus coverage

Some local stores felt the shutdown of the warehouse.

B Jay’s in Vandalia and Bee-Gee’s Minite Market in Kettering said they were running low on lottery tickets, but got shipments in this week.

Bee-Gee’s Minite Market is the top cashier of Mega Millions prizes and top-selling Mega Millions retailer in its region, according to Ohio Lottery. Bee Gee’s Minit Market in Kettering sold its first $1 million ticket in the historic Mega Millions drawing in 2018.

In the last fiscal year, Bee Gee’s reportedly sold $21,350 in Mega Millions prizes and $220,010 in tickets.

Arrow Wine and Spirits in Centerville said the store ran low or ran out of a couple popular items, like scratch-offs, said General Manager Jason Bush.

Typically, Bush said the Ohio Lottery will call the store weekly to see if the store would like to order more lottery tickets. A couple of weeks ago, Bush said he got a message saying that delivery would likely be disrupted because of the coronavirus.

“We had a couple of weeks where they didn’t call us, but we didn’t run too low, so I didn’t really call them either,” Bush said.

MORE: Kroger Health announces coronavirus drive-thru test site in Dayton

This week, Arrow Wine and Spirits got a new shipment of lottery tickets, Bush said.

“They seem to be getting their legs back up under them,” he said.

Services supporting the Ohio Lottery moved to a secondary Scientific Games facility while that warehouse was closed so that retailers and players would still have access, Frizzi-Babb said.

The Solon facility opened after a professional, deep sanitation. The facility is also taking other additional health and safety measures in accordance with state and Centers for Disease Control guidelines, she said.

About the Author