SHELBY, N.C. -- North Carolina retailers raked in an estimated $10 million Thursday, the first day of the state lottery. But that doesn't sway Robert Arey, who has no desire to sell the tickets at the 15 convenience stores he owns in the Charlotte region, according to a report from News 14 Carolina.
"You work for what you get, Arey, who runs the One Stop Food Stores based in Shelby, N.C., said in the television news report. You don't win it."
Arey said he is morally opposed to the lottery, which he calls a poor tax, and [image-nocss] he doesn't expect his decision to cost him money. In fact, he said, his stores in South Carolina actually saw an increase in sales when the lottery went into effect there a few years ago. He said his customers have told him how much they appreciate not having to wait in long lines behind lottery players. "Thank you so much for not having it, one customer told Arey. We waited in one store for 15 minutes just to buy milk."
Arey said the lottery also isn't worth the 7% return in sales. The more traditional items, such as tobacco, potato chips and beverages, haul in a profit of 20% to 40%. "We're in the convenience store business, Arey said, and lottery is not convenient."
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.