N.S. legion vice president accused of claiming $24K in Chase the Ace event he organized

A Nova Scotia man is accused of claiming a Chase the Ace jackpot at an event he helped organize.

The vice-president of the Vimy Legion in Halifax has been banned from holding a ticket lottery licence after he allegedly won more than $24,000 in a Chase the Ace event he helped run more than two years ago.

According to a statement of facts from the Nova Scotia Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division, David Long was the licensee and one of the volunteers for the Chase the Ace lottery event held around July 7, 2023, and was therefore not allowed to claim the prize under the Nova Scotia Ticket Lottery Regulations.

However, Long allegedly claimed the $24,594 jackpot after playing in the game in the name of his brother-in-law.

“David Long advised the treasurer and management staff that the winner of the July 7, 2023, (Chase the Ace) was his brother-in-law but to make the cheque out in his name,” the statement of facts reads. “David Long then stated he would send his brother-in-law the jackpot money.

“Mr. Long wrote the cheque to himself, deposited into his bank account and stated to police that his brother-in-law did not want the jackpot money.”

Long confirmed the legion did not ask for the winnings back after learning he kept the money for himself. He allegedly bought a 2018 Dodge Journey for $17,000 and paid personal expenses with the jackpot, according to the statement of facts.

“Mr. Long, when interviewed by police, agreed that if the public learned of the above noted information there would be an ‘uproar’ as they (the public) would believe the game was ‘rigged,’” the statement reads.

The Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division received another complaint about a Chase the Ace event at the Vimy Legion on July 5, 2024. They learned Long’s sister-in-law won the jackpot, but she was allegedly not in attendance at the event and did not buy tickets, nor did she receive any winnings from the draw.

Long told compliance officer Chris Rowarth that his wife played under his sister-in-law’s name. He also claimed his wife was “too nervous” to accept the money, and he gave her $814 after the event.

The statement of facts says an informal hearing before executive director Scott MacDonald was held on Nov. 13. The director ordered Long be prohibited from holding a licence under the Nova Scotia Ticket Lottery Regulations.

Long was also banned from any and all involvement in the management, operation or administration of a “ticket lottery scheme” permitted under the Lottery Regulations.

The Vimy Legion will have to pay a $500 penalty to the minister of finance by Dec. 15.

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