WHITE PLAINS (AP) -- The New York lottery says players who buy subscriptions with their MasterCards are illegally being charged extra fees and higher interest.

Spokeswoman Jennifer Givner says that since June 1, MasterCard users have been billed as if they were taking cash advances. She says that typically means $10 fees and immediate interest at rates up to 24.9 percent.

MasterCard spokesman Chris Monteiro says the banks that issue MasterCards set the fees and rates. He says the company receives only a fee for processing.

But Givner said Friday it was MasterCard that moved lottery purchases into a category with bets on dog racing and horse racing. She said lottery purchases were previously treated like fees for government services like renewing a driver's license.

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