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Woman must return $4.15 million 'mistake' lottery ticket to Doylestown Acme, court says – PhillyVoice

© 2025 WWB Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved
December 30, 2020
A winning PA Match 6 lottery ticket worth $4.15 million became the subject of a lengthy dispute between an Acme market in Doylestown and a former employee who purchased the 'mistake' ticket after it had been rejected by a customer.
A former longtime employee of an Acme supermarket in Doylestown has been ordered to give back a winning, $4.15 million PA Match 6 ticket that she claimed last year from the store's pile of discarded "mistake tickets."
A Pennsylvania Superior Court ruling issued Dec. 15 determined that Pipersville resident Beverlie Seltzer could not claim the lottery winnings because Acme held a valid property interest in the "mistake ticket." The decision affirmed a previous trial court ruling issued in November 2019.
On March 21, 2019, a customer at the Doylestown store asked to purchase five PA Match 6 tickets at a price of $2 for each set of numbers. After the tickets were generated, the customer rejected them and asked the store clerk to print five different tickets for him.
In these instances, Acme's policy is to place printed "mistake tickets" in a pile that is later reconciled with the Pennsylvania Lottery as part of a weekly balance that covers all tickets generated by the store's WAVE terminal, including those sold and not sold to customers.

If the store holds a winning ticket in the mistake pile, it is entitled to claim the winnings.
Seltzer arrived at her Acme shift at the customer service desk a few hours after the transaction that produced the mistake ticket. The Match 6 drawing occurred at 7 p.m. About an hour later, Seltzer scanned through the mistake pile and found the winning ticket, a practice she had done in the past.
Instead of leaving the ticket to be processed by the store coordinator, Seltzer took $10 from her purse and rang up a transaction for the same price as the customer's original, canceled purchase of the tickets. She was still on the clock at the time and never consulted with anyone at Acme about purchasing the mistake ticket. She signed the back of the ticket and submitted it to the Pennsylvania Lottery.
After Seltzer claimed the winnings, Acme received the lottery's customary $10,000 store bonus for the ticket. She had told fellow employees and friends, but remained vague about when and how she bought the ticket.
Acme management decided to review security footage from the store and determined that Seltzer had tried to purchase the ticket after the Match 6 drawing was complete. Typically, Acme will have a right to sell "mistake tickets" to customers before the drawing. Those that aren't sold go through weekly reconciliation.
The company filed a complaint on April 16, 2019 and the winnings were placed in an escrow account pending resolution in court.
In her cross-motion, Seltzer argued that Acme had failed to provide sufficient evidence of a property right to the winning ticket. She claimed that since her purchase of the ticket occurred before Acme's reconciliation with the lottery, she was the rightful owner of the ticket under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Lottery Code.
The trial court last November dismissed Seltzer's claim that she had acquired superior title to the ticket.
"It is simply absurd for [Ms.] Seltzer to essentially argue that Acme would have willingly sold a ticket worth $4,150,000 for $10," the judge determined at the time.
In an appeal filed the next day, Seltzer argued that the trial court erred in the case by applying the Uniform Commercial Code instead of State Lottery Law and its regulations. The Pennsylvania Lottery Code provisions hold "that a ticket is a bearer instrument deemed to be owned by its possessor, and that the ticket itself is the only valid receipt for claiming a prize."
Superior Court Judge Mary Jane Bowes dismissed Seltzer's appeal this month on grounds that the contract terms in Acme's lottery retail license establish a property right in all tickets generated by the WAVE terminal. The store is financially liable for all tickets that are generated, with no recourse to return or refund them under any circumstances. Acme fully bears the loss of non-payment by a customer who requests a ticket be printed, but ultimately does not buy it.
No evidence was provided of any instance in which Acme allowed an employee or customer to purchase a post-drawing mistake ticket after its winning value had been determined.
Acme therefore argued that it became the owner of the ticket as soon as it was printed, despite Seltzer's claim that she had purchased the ticket before the weekly settlement. The Superior Court agreed with Acme:

The court ultimately ruled that no reasonable fact-finder could conclude that Seltzer acted with the good-faith belief that she could lawfully purchase a lottery ticket worth $4.15 million for the price of $10.
Michael Tanenbaum
PhillyVoice Staff
tanenbaum@phillyvoice.com
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Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to first phase of Gaza peace deal, paving way for ceasefire – BBC

Trump: Gaza Ceasefire Deal Reached
BBC News
This video can not be played
US President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of his Gaza peace deal
In a post on social media, he writes "ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon" and "Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line"
Hamas has confirmed the deal – but it has not yet received the final list of prisoners that Israel plans to release in exchange, a Palestinian source tells the BBC
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu calls the agreement "a great day for Israel" and will convene his government on Thursday to approve it
A ceasefire will go into effect immediately after approval by the Israeli government around 14:00 Jerusalem time (12:00 BST), a senior Palestinian official says
Despite hopes this could lead to the end of the two-year war, crucial details still need to be discussed, writes our Middle East correspondent
The breakthrough in Egypt comes two years and two days after Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to the 7 October 2023 attack, in which Hamas-led gunmen killed about 1,200 people and took 251 others as hostages
At least 67,183 have been killed by Israeli military operations in Gaza since then, including 20,179 children, the Hamas-run health ministry says
Edited by Alex Smith and Marita Moloney, with reporting from Rushdi Abualouf in Istanbul and Hugo Bachega in Jerusalem
Hugo Bachega
Middle East correspondent

The ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, announced after intense negotiations in Egypt, is a long-awaited breakthrough that brings them closer to ending the two-year-old war in Gaza.
But, despite the momentum, there is no guarantee that this will happen.
The main difference in these efforts has been the personal involvement of President Donald Trump, who has put pressure not only on Hamas but also on Israel for an agreement.
This is a major diplomatic victory for someone who wants to be seen as the man who ended the war – and, in the process, be rewarded for it.
What has been agreed is the first phase of a plan the president announced at the White House last week alongside the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been accused of sabotaging efforts for a deal in the past.
This time, Trump, reportedly impatient and irritated with Netanyahu, appears to have used the power only the Americans have to influence Israel, leaving the prime minister with no option other than engage with the process.
Threatened by Trump with “complete obliteration”, Hamas was under intense pressure too. Arab and Muslim countries embraced the president’s plan, and there was heavy involvement from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey in the negotiations.
This is, without a doubt, a significant moment but there is no guarantee that a peace deal for Gaza will happen, as crucial details still need to be worked out. They include the key Israeli demand that Hamas must disarm, the extent of the Israeli withdrawal and a plan for who will govern Gaza.
Alice Cuddy
Reporting from Jerusalem

I’ve just heard from Gil Dickman, whose cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, and her body recovered from a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later.
He has been joining other hostage families in pushing for a deal that brings the return of all those still being held in Gaza.
“I can’t quite believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for so long and here it is,” he tells me.
He says he feels “broken” that Carmel will not be among those returning home but is “glowing with joy for the families of the hostages who are finally coming back”.
Alice Cuddy
Reporting from Jerusalem

It’s early morning here in Jerusalem, and I’ve been starting to get reaction over messages from people in Gaza.
“I hope the coming days bring us happy news and that we and our loved ones live in safety,” Mousa, a doctor in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, tells me over WhatsApp.
“We have lost a lot during the two years of war. The Gaza Strip is destroyed. A difficult time still awaits us, but the important thing is we hope to be safe.”
In the south, pharmacist Suha Shaath said she was in disbelief.
“Until now, I don’t believe that this war could be ending and that I and still alive – we have survived this catastrophe,” she says.
As a reminder, Israel does not allow international journalists independent access to Gaza, so my communication with people there over the past two years has been over messages and phone calls.
The UN's humanitarian chief has just posted on social media about the Gaza peace deal.
"Great news. Let’s get the hostages out and surge aid in – fast," Tom Fletcher writes on X.
"Our teams are fully mobilised to get the trucks moving at scale and save lives."
He adds UN workers need "safe access" and it will provide regular updates on any developments.
For context: In late-August, famine was declared in Gaza with a report from the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification saying half a million people were starving in Gaza City. Israel has systematically obstructed food entering Gaza, aid agencies say. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denies starvation is taking place in Gaza.
Jiyar Gol
BBC Persian

Despite being one of Hamas’s strongest military and financial backers, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been sidelined in recent peace negotiations.
Iran went to war with Israel in defence of Hamas, yet countries like Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt played the leading roles in brokering the first stage of the ceasefire deal.
Tehran, usually vocal in rejecting any agreement involving Israel or the United States, appeared noticeably cautious this time. Iranian officials refrained from direct criticism of the peace efforts, instead emphasizing that Hamas had not surrendered. Iran’s narrative now frames the outcome as a “victory” for Hamas — despite its limited influence over the diplomatic process.
Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer has responded to the news, saying: "This brings a huge sigh of relief to the hostage families, to all of Israel, and to Palestinians who have suffered for so long in this horrific humanitarian catastrophe."
"I hope and pray that all of the hostages are released, including the deceased hostages. Let me be clear: I will never give up until all of the hostages are home, including my constituents: Omer Neutra and Itay Chen. I've gotten to know their families well over the last two years, and I share their desperation to bring them home for proper burial and closure."
As we have been reporting, the full details of the first-phase ceasefire deal have not been disclosed officially. Here is what we know so far:

Here is what we know about how the coming days may unfold: A White House official said Israel's cabinet will hold a vote on the peace plan on Thursday.
If Israel agrees then, it will have 24 hours to withdraw its troops.
That would kick off a 72-hour window during which Hamas may release the remaining hostages. The official said the US expects the release of the 20 hostages to begin on Monday, although Hamas may move to release them earlier. Trump said the hostages "will probably be released on Monday".
Trump suggested on Wednesday that he may travel to the Middle East as the deal is being finalised late this week. He said he expects to arrive right around the time that the hostages are being released.
Here is what you need to know about Israel and Hamas agreeing to the first phase of Trump's Gaza peace deal:
Yolande Knell
Middle East correspondent, in Jerusalem

“A big day for Israel,” the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on social media shortly after President Trump announced an agreement on the first stage of his plan. He’s expected to convene his government later to approve the deal. Hamas called on the US and other mediators to ensure that Israel implements the deal “without disavowal or delay”.
Joy as the news spread in the dark streets of Khan Younis in southern Gaza overnight – and in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, the mother of an Israeli held captive lit a firework celebrating what she hopes is her son’s imminent release.
A statement from the Hostages Families Forum expressed “profound gratitude to President Trump” for what it called an “historic breakthrough..”
Israel’s Security Cabinet is now due to meet followed by a full government meeting to authorise the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages. Hamas has confirmed it’s waiting for final approval of the prisoner list. This is the third ceasefire reached since the start of a bloody war two years ago, and there’s hope on both sides that it marks a full end to the fighting.
It’s not clear if any international guarantees have been given to ensure that. There are also few details on thorny issues covered by the US peace plan. It requires Hamas to give up its weapons, something it’s repeatedly refused to do – and lays out plans for post-war governance and rebuilding of Gaza – much of which lies in ruins.
The mother of Matan Zangauker – one of the Israeli hostages being held in Gaza – has just posted on X about her son's potential return.
"Matan returns home to me, to (his sisters) Natalie and Shani, to (his partner) Ilana, the love of his life," writes Einav Zangauker.
"To you, to the country, I prayed for these tears."
Israeli President Isaac Herzog says the "heart of Israel beats as one with the hostages and their families" in a post on X.
He adds a quote from the prophet Jeremiah in his post: “They shall return from the land of the enemy… and children shall return to their borders."
Smoke rising over the Gaza Strip after an Israeli bombardment on 5 October 2025 as seen from the Israeli side of the border
Over the past two years, Israeli forces have destroyed much of Gaza and killed over 67,183 Palestinians, including 20,179 children, according to the territory's health ministry. Its figures are seen as reliable by the UN and other international bodies, although Israel disputes them.
Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to the 7 October 2023 attack, in which Hamas-led gunmen killed about 1,200 people and took 251 others as hostages.
Gaza's health ministry has said another 460 people have died from the effects of malnutrition since the start of the war, including 182 since a man-made famine was confirmed in Gaza City in August by the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Netanyahu has repeatedly denied starvation is taking place in Gaza and said Israel is facilitating deliveries of food and other aid.
If both Hamas and Israel abide by the initial peace deal, as many US politicians are hopeful they will, the war will come to an end.
But the recovery and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip will take a long time:
A Palestinian child living in an accommodation centre is searching for something in the rubble of collapsed buildings in Khan Yunis, Gaza on October 08, 2025
Tents sheltering people displaced by war are pitched near the heavily-damaged Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani mosque in the southern Gaza Strip on October 6, 2025
Palestinian children collect usable belongings from the rubble after an Israeli strike on Abu Hasira Street in Gaza City on September 30, 2025
Dozens of mosques throughout the Gaza Strip, like this one in Gaza City, have been wholly or partially destroyed
Palestinians fleeing northern Gaza after heavy Israeli attacks in Gaza City
Smoke rises from a fire that broke out in a home after Israeli attacks in Gaza City
Palestinians check the destruction in the aftermath of an Israeli strike the previous night in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip, on November 1, 2023
A child hides behind a structure as Israeli forces target an area of Gaza City
Civilians carry out search and rescue operations from the rubble after an Israeli attack at the school of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East at Nuseirat Refugee Camp in Gaza City on September 11, 2024
Injured Palestinians are rescued under the rubble after Israeli warplanes bombed houses around Kamal Advan Hospital in the town of Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip on May 18, 2024
Smoke rises over destroyed buildings in Gaza City
Palestinians displaced by the war in Gaza tell the Associated Press that they hope the peace deal will allow them to leave the shelters and come home.
“I will rebuild the house, we will rebuild Gaza,” says Ayman Saber, who lives in Khan Younis.
Ahmed Sheheiber says he is waiting "impatiently" to return to his home in the Jabaliya refugee camp.
“It’s a huge day, huge joy,” he says.
Aid coordinator Eyad Amawi says he is worried Israel might put obstacles to the deal and that he feels a mix of happiness and sadness.
“We believe and don’t believe. We have mixed feelings, between happiness and sadness, memories, everything is mixed,” he says.
“We need to fix everything here, especially the psychological effects to (continue) with our lives,” he adds.
BBC's Gaza correspondent Rushdi Abualour details the role of mediators – how the delegations were never in the same room together – and the feelings in Gaza:
This video can not be played
'There is a sense of happiness' in Gaza, says BBC correspondent
The sound of cheers filled Hostages Square in Tel Aviv overnight as the families of Israelis still being held captive in Gaza celebrated the potential return of their loved ones.
Here are some of the latest images from Israel:
In this 75-second video, hear from BBC's US State Department correspondent Tom Bateman on the circumstances that led to US President Donald Trump pressuring Israel to make a deal with Hamas to end the war in Gaza.
This video can not be played
BBC's Tom Bateman on how Trump pressured Israel to make a deal
Here is more from UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's statement.
He says: “I am grateful for the tireless diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye and the United States, supported by our regional partners, in securing this crucial first step. This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza.
"We call on all parties to meet the commitments they have made, to end the war, and to build the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict and a sustainable path to a long-term peace. The UK will support these crucial immediate steps and the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan."
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has responded to the news of Israel and Hamas agreeing to the first phase of the Gaza peace plan:
“I welcome the news that a deal has been reached on the first stage of President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza," he said in a statement.
“This is a moment of profound relief that will be felt all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years."
Reuters reports residents of Khan Younis in southern Gaza erupting in cheers following the announcement of a peace deal.
“Thank God, today President Trump announced that the war stopped, we are very happy that the war stopped, this is something joyful for us and we thank our brothers and anyone who contributed even if verbally to stop the war and to stop the bloodshed,” Wael Radwan tells the news agency.
“Thank God for the ceasefire, the end of bloodshed and killing. I am not the only one happy, all of the Gaza Strip is happy, all the Arab people, all of the world is happy with the ceasefire and the end of bloodshed. Thank you and all the love to those who stood with us,” says Abdul Majeed Rabbo.
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XRP Price News: Rejected at $2.93, Tests $2.85 Support After Failed Breakout – CoinDesk

XRP spiked above $2.90 on double-average volume before profit-taking reversed gains, leaving price back at $2.85. A fresh supply zone formed at $2.92–$2.93, while the $2.85 floor is now under scrutiny as macro headwinds weigh on flows.
XRP rallied 2% intraday on Oct. 8, jumping from $2.88 to $2.93 at 17:00 on 86.6M turnover — nearly double the 24-hour average of 48.3M. The move coincided with heightened geopolitical tensions and central bank maneuvering, which fueled broader volatility across risk assets. Traders noted that despite stronger institutional adoption trends, profit-taking dominated into the U.S. close.
Support at $2.86 cracked under heavy sell pressure, turning that level into near-term resistance. The next floor sits at $2.85, with any decisive break opening risk toward $2.80. Resistance remains at $2.92–$2.93, where high-volume rejection printed. While price structure shows bearish momentum short term, institutional accumulation themes and regulatory catalysts still underpin broader positioning.
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On-chain flows show large holders adding 30M tokens (approximately $8M), suggesting accumulation remains intact even as resistance caps upside momentum.
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Disclosure & Polices: CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of Bullish (NYSE:BLSH), an institutionally focused global digital asset platform that provides market infrastructure and information services. Bullish owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets and CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish equity-based compensation.

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Pi Coin Price Risks 23% Drop To Historic Lows As Bullish Crossover Fails – BeInCrypto

Written by
Aaryamann Shrivastava
Edited by
Harsh Notariya
Pi Coin has been trading sideways for several weeks, showing little momentum despite broader market activity. The altcoin’s consolidation phase now appears to be breaking down as market conditions deteriorate, pushing prices lower. 
Recent indicators suggest that the token could be heading toward a deeper correction if bearish sentiment persists.
Pi Coin’s correlation to Bitcoin has dropped to a negative 0.24, indicating that it is currently moving independently of the broader crypto market. This detachment is unfavorable, as Bitcoin’s recent gains have historically lifted smaller altcoins. Pi’s inability to follow this pattern highlights weakening investor confidence and diminished market participation.
This negative correlation also suggests that Pi Coin may struggle to capitalize on Bitcoin’s rally in the near term. Without a strong alignment with Bitcoin’s bullish cycle, Pi Coin risks further downside pressure as investor enthusiasm fades.
Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.
From a technical standpoint, Pi Coin’s Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator was on the verge of a bullish crossover last week. Such a signal typically marks the beginning of a recovery phase after an extended downtrend. 
However, worsening market conditions disrupted this momentum, delaying the reversal and extending the token’s two-week bearish streak. The failed crossover highlights the fragile state of Pi Coin’s momentum. Instead of confirming an uptrend, the indicator now suggests continued weakness. 
At the time of writing, Pi Coin is trading at $0.239, just below the $0.240 threshold. The token has declined nearly 9% in the past 24 hours, reflecting growing selling pressure. Unless demand returns, Pi could continue to lose value in the coming days.
Based on current indicators, Pi Coin’s price could drop toward $0.200, with a possible retest of its all-time low (ATL) at $0.184—roughly 23% below current levels. Sustained bearish conditions would make this scenario increasingly likely.
Conversely, if the broader crypto market stabilizes, Pi Coin could stage a rebound. A move above $0.270 would invalidate the bearish outlook, paving the way for a recovery toward $0.286 and potentially higher levels.
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In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

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UK indies to receive £510,000 in lottery funding – GamesIndustry.biz

Investment will support four projects focused on creating tools and datasets for use in the wider industry
The BFI National Lottery Innovation Challenge has announced it will provide £510,000 to four innovative projects in the UK games industry.
The funding aims to support independent games businesses in creating open data sets for use in the industry as well as new tools, technology, and approaches to help underrepresented developers.
The first four projects to be supported are:
The Games Insights Database is a partnership between Into Games, Games Jobs Live, and learning designers/researchers Birds Eye View. Its database aims to support independent studios and developers by providing access to information about workforce, skills, salary benchmarking and funding availability.
UKIE and OKRE’s UK Video Games Econometrics will provide insights into the economic, social, and cultural value of the UK games sector and collate the data “to articulate its value.”
Code Coven’s Aurora aims to build the skills and knowledge of underrepresented developers in business knowledge and financing. It will also support forming connections between developers, publishers, and investors.
The Access to Market: Self-Publishing Toolkit is led by Games London as a branch of Film London. The two-year project will feature a group of up to 12 independent games companies that will be provided with business development workshops, the insights of which will be collated into a toolkit.
“We’re thrilled to be backing these four projects, which propose innovative approaches to a range of challenges facing the UK’s video games industry,” said BFI director of research and industry innovation Rishi Coupland.
“Together, these projects promise to deliver further creative and commercial success for the video games industry, through a focus on data, insights, market access, and diversity.”
© 2025 GamesIndustry.biz, an IGN Entertainment Inc. brand. 18 Mansell Street Level 3, London, E1 8AA, United Kingdom. All rights reserved. No part of this website or its content may be reproduced without the copyright owner’s permission. GAMESINDUSTRY.BIZ is a registered trademark of Gamer Network Limited, an affiliate of IGN Entertainment Inc.

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