Ontarians may be able to purchase lottery at The Beer Store: sources

Multiple sources tell CHCH News that Ontarians may be able to purchase a lottery ticket while picking up a case of beer at The Beer Store. The news comes after the province handed the beer conglomerate, $225 million to expand alcohol to retailers this fall.

This decision is still up to The Beer Store at this point in time, but they did reiterate their statement from last month, that they are looking into other retail items.

It appears the possible expansion would allow The Beer Store to be in a better position to compete in a larger market space. Starting in the fall, more than 8,500 convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations will see alcohol distributed to their storefronts, which in exchange, saw the privately-owned, Beer Store, receive that cheque of more than $200 million.

Currently, The Beer Store does sell additional items, but now will be allowed to offer lottery tickets and food if it wants. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says small storefronts have more concerns when dealing with The Beer Store.

The LCBO tells CHCH News they are aware that there are no regulations that prevent their storefronts from selling additional items like lottery tickets, but add they have no plans to do so.