Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Washington's lottery (lottery) is considering revisions to WAC 315-10-025 Cost to purchase an instant game ticket. The lottery is contemplating whether to increase the maximum price of an instant (scratch-off) game ticket.

Hearing Location(s): On April 9, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., at 814 4th Avenue East, Olympia, WA 98506-3922. A virtual option will be available for this hearing using Microsoft Teams. See walottery.com or contact Kristi Weeks for details on how to participate virtually.

Submit Written Comments to: Kristi Weeks, P.O. Box 4300, Olympia, WA 98504-3000, email KWeeks@walottery.com, fax 360-515-0416, beginning immediately, by 5:00 p.m., April 8, 2026.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Leah White-Noreen, phone 360-791-3045, fax 360-742-3902, TTY 360-586-0933, email Leah.White@walottery.com, by April 7, 2026.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Pursuant to RCW 67.70.040 (1)(b), the lottery commission must set "the price, or prices, of tickets or shares in the lottery." Since 2015, WAC 315-10-025 has set the price range for scratch tickets as not less than $1 and not more than $30. In addition, an unnecessary word should be deleted because the director has authority to offer promotions of any type, not simply media promotions.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The lottery would like to explore whether a higher price point would be advantageous to the state and/or desired by players. Research shows that $50 instant tickets have been well received by players in other states, are profitable for those lotteries, and have become an industry standard.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Kristi Weeks, 814 4th Avenue East, Olympia, WA, 360-810-2881; Enforcement: Brian Bennett, 814 4th Avenue East, Olympia, WA, 564-999-3664.

A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The lottery is not an agency listed in RCW 34.05.328 (5)(a)(i). Further, the lottery does not voluntarily make that section applicable to the adoption of this rule pursuant to subsection (5)(a)(ii) and to date the joint [administrative] rules review committee has not made the section applicable to the adoption of this rule.

This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:

Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rules relate only to internal governmental operations that are not subject to violation by a nongovernment party.

Explanation of exemptions: The rule is exempt because it relates to internal operations that are not subject to violation by any party. In addition, it does not impose any cost or duty on small business. To the contrary, small businesses who are licensed retailers will benefit by receiving an increased sales commission from higher priced tickets.

The price of an instant game ticket shall not be less than $1.00 and not more than (($30.00))$50.00, except for those tickets used in ((media)) promotions authorized by the director and retailer incentive programs authorized by the commission.