TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – An unauthorized courier service has been shut down by the Florida Lottery for illegally selling lottery tickets online, officials announced in a news release Thursday.

The service, known as The Lotter, worked with lottery retailer ZaZa Accessories and acted as an intermediary for the purchase of lottery tickets, according to the Florida Lottery.

Authorities learned of the illegal sales through routine monitoring and enforcement efforts.

“The actions of this online courier service and lottery retailer not only violate state law, but also jeopardize the experience of our loyal players and retailers who operate with integrity,” Steven Harriett, director of security for the Florida Lottery, said in a statement. “We will continue to work closely with law enforcement to root out illegal activity and maintain the public’s trust in the Florida Lottery.”

Where can players buy a legitimate Florida lottery ticket?

The Florida Lottery urges players to purchase tickets only from authorized retailers rather than through unauthorized third-party vendors.

To find a verified location near you, click here for the Florida Lottery’s online Where to Play tool.

Purchasing lottery tickets through unauthorized third-party services is illegal and poses serious risks such as fraud, misrepresentation and the possibility of loss of winnings.

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