Lottery officials defend Yukon system

Measures exist to ensure the integrity of the Yukon's lottery system, officials say, responding to a Fifth Estate report which foundfraud in the Ontario system.

Responding tothis week's story on the CBC magazine show aboutfraud in the Ontario system,Yukon Lottery Corporation managerCarol Arntzen said earlier Wednesdaythat ticket buyers in the territory have nothing to worry about.

The Yukon has a good system which requires all major winnersto pick up their cheques at the lottery office, she said.

The territory'ssmall population of 31,000 also allows lottery officials to be more aware of what's happening, Arntzen said.

Keep validation slip: lottery officials

Western Canadian Lottery Corporation spokesman John Matheson sayspeople should check their own tickets or at least keep the validation slip that is printed at the time.

"We see a lot of players who say 'No, I don't want it,'" Matheson told CBC News from his Winnipeg office Wednesday.

"Take it, read it, and see what it says. See if you're entitled to a prize. It's your property and it will confirm for you one way or the other."

The Fifth Estate story, scheduled to air Wednesday night, highlights the case of an Ontario man who was cheated out his winnings by the clerk who checked his ticket.