HALIFAX – The Alcohol and Gaming Division of Service Nova Scotia is reviewing a complaint made by a Dartmouth woman against Bryony House’s Dare to Dream lottery that centres on the resale of the top prize, a dream home, to one of the lottery organizers.
Kris Martin, who sold the $1.2-million home to the charity for more than $1 million, bought it back from the winners for $620,000. She said the couple who won the home approached her about buying it back and set the asking price themselves.
Martin said she didn’t hesitate to help Bryony House with the lottery, despite knowing there was no guarantee the tickets would sell. She said she took on most of the risks when she put the home up as the grand prize.
A spokesperson with the Alcohol and Gaming Division said the regulator will look into the complaint and determine whether to launch an investigation.
The lottery has been plagued by problems, starting with low ticket sales, and a controversy when organizers considered switching the grand prize from the home to a $600,000 cash prize.
Laurie Ehler, executive director of Bryony House, declined an interview request on Wednesday, saying the board of directors is discussing the matter with a lawyer and might release a statement at a later point.
Martin declined to be interviewed on camera. She said over the phone she was only trying to “do something good for the community,” and she shouldn’t be portrayed as a bad person because she made a profit.
She said her actions weren’t illegal and is confident the people reviewing the complaint will agree.
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