Columbia convenience store barred from selling lottery tickets. Here’s why

A Columbia convenience store will be barred from selling any more lottery tickets after sheriff’s deputies say they sold a ticket to someone under 18.

Sheriff Leon Lott announced on Wednesday that the CK Mart at 2624 Broad River Road has been prevented from selling any more tickets following the incident.

“All licensed retailers are expected to follow the law and maintain responsible business practices. Violations like this will not be tolerated,” Lott said in a statement, “I would also like to thank the South Carolina Education Lottery for taking quick action with this suspension.”

Sheriff’s deputies say they observed a cashier at the store sell a ticket to a minor on Friday, following “community complaints” about the store a few blocks north of Interstate 20 in the St. Andrews area.

State law bars the sale of lottery tickets to anyone under the age of 18.

The statement from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department said the suspension would be temporary, but did not specify how long the store would be prohibited from selling lottery tickets.

This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 1:12 PM.

Bristow Marchant

The State

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Bristow Marchant covers local government, schools and community in Lexington County for The State. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 2007. He has almost 20 years of experience covering South Carolina at the Clinton Chronicle, Sumter Item and Rock Hill Herald. He joined The State in 2016. Bristow has won numerous awards, most recently the S.C. Press Association’s 2024 education reporting award.  Support my work with a digital subscription