Paris, August 29, 2025 — Motorists on the A13 motorwayhttps://www.francebleu.fr/infos/faits-divers-justice/un-camion-rempli-de-tickets-a-gratter-de-la-francaise-des-jeux-perd-une-partie-de-sa-cargaison-sur-l-a13-5520894 were treated to a surreal scene this morning when a delivery truck carrying thousands of scratch cards from La Française des Jeux (FDJ), France’s national lottery operator, lost part of its cargo along a busy stretch of the highway.
According to early reports, the incident occurred near Mantes-la-Jolie, west of Paris, shortly before 9:00 a.m. Witnesses said they saw a trail of brightly colored lottery tickets scattered across several lanes, forcing drivers to slow down and in some cases stop entirely.
A Sudden Downpour of Scratch Cards
The truck, which was en route from an FDJ distribution center to retail points in Normandy, is believed to have experienced a mechanical issue with its rear doors, causing several boxes of scratch cards to fall onto the road.
“From a distance, it looked like confetti flying everywhere,” said one motorist. “When we got closer, we realized they were lottery tickets. People couldn’t believe their eyes.”
Traffic slowed for nearly an hour as police and highway maintenance crews rushed to secure the scene. While no injuries were reported, the unexpected shower of scratch cards caused minor congestion during the morning commute.
Not a Free Jackpot
The spectacle might have seemed like a dream come true for drivers, but the FDJ quickly reminded the public that the tickets strewn across the highway were not valid for use.
“Every game card is tracked and registered before being delivered to retail outlets,” the company said in a statement. “The tickets lost in this incident are void and cannot be used to claim prizes.”
Lottery officials stressed that attempting to redeem any of the lost scratch cards would be considered fraud, and security codes on each ticket would allow the company to immediately block them.
Police Intervention and Recovery Operation
Gendarmerie units were deployed to prevent opportunistic drivers from collecting tickets. Officers were seen gathering boxes and loose cards into plastic bags while highway workers cleared the debris to reopen traffic lanes.
Authorities confirmed that several people attempted to stop and pick up scratch cards, but they were promptly warned and told to leave the scene. “It’s important to understand that these cards have no value outside of FDJ’s distribution system,” one officer explained.
A Costly Mishap
Though FDJ assured that no financial loss would affect players or the company’s prize pools, the accident highlights the risks involved in transporting large quantities of gambling products. Each box can contain thousands of tickets with potential prizes ranging from €1 to €500,000.
The truck driver, reportedly shaken but unharmed, is cooperating with police as they investigate whether the mishap was caused by human error, improper loading, or a mechanical fault.
Public Fascination
Despite the inconvenience to motorists, the unusual sight quickly went viral. Photos and videos shared on social media showed highways littered with colorful scratch cards, with captions like “A traffic jam worth millions” and “The jackpot highway.”
Many users joked about what they would have done had they found themselves driving through a storm of lottery tickets.
What Happens Next
Authorities expect the cleanup and audit of the lost inventory to take several days. FDJ confirmed that all affected tickets will be officially canceled in its central system and replaced for distribution.
While it may have looked like a golden opportunity for some drivers, the lottery operator reminded the public of a simple truth: when it comes to scratch cards, only the ones bought in-store and activated at the cash register are valid.
For now, the A13 incident will likely be remembered as one of the most bizarre traffic events of the summer — a reminder that even in France, the road to fortune never comes without rules.