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Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | Home -> Forums -> Lottery News -> Texas Lottery Considering Computerized Drawings Texas Lottery Considering Computerized Drawings Texas Lottery: Texas Lottery Considering Computerized DrawingsWarning to Texas Lottery players: Your state lottery is considering a move that will eliminate real lottery ball machines, and will use a computer to select your lottery numbers. New documents uncovered by News 4 WOAI Monday show the Texas Lottery Commission may consider changing the way it draws numbers, but some say the system they want to change to is unreliable. Currently, the lotto is drawn with a machine using individually numbered ping-pong balls, but according to documents obtained by News 4 WOAI, they could change to computerized drawings. One San Antonio math professor says that is a big mistake. The problem is no one really knows what's really going on inside that computer program, San Antonio College Professor Gerald Busalt said. Busalt told the Lottery Commission members Monday computer programs are unreliable. There's a 92% chance there is a problem with that program, Busalt told the commission. The Lotto Texas Mega Millions game uses a computer, and Busalt says it has problems. [Editor: Only the Texas Megaplier is drawn using a computer. All the regular Mega Millions numbers are drawn using traditional lottery ball machines.] The number 2 has not appeared for the last 51 drawings, Busalt said. He also says a similar problem with the number 9 in Arizona led to the temporary shutdown of its lottery. But even with the problems, an e-mail obtained by News 4 WOAI in an open records request from Lottery Deputy Director Gary Grief seems to show an interest in going to the computer generated drawings anyway. Grief would not talk to us about the e-mail, so we asked Lottery Chairman Tom Clowe, Jr. Has the commission been looking into the possibility of doing computer drawings and entering into an agreement with a company next month to put into place computer generated drawings? News 4 WOAIs Bruce Kates asked Clowe Monday. No, not to my knowledge, Clowe said. But the e-mail obtained by News 4 WOAI is addressed to chairman Clowe. It talks about research underway on computer drawings. When Kates showed Clowe the e-mail he said he had forgotten about it. Clowe also said the e-mail referred to research only. There's no contract in place, or being proposed, Clowe said. There's no commitment to go to a random number generator Lottery chairman Clowe said he is going to have his staff look at the issues Professor Busalt brought up in today's hearing. Editor: Lottery Post urges all of our readers to sign the important Petition for True Lottery Drawings to show your support of this important measure. Lottery Post Staff and WOAI We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums. If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment. 25 comments. Last comment 7 years ago by . Chief Bottle Washer New Jersey United States Member #1 May 31, 2000 19933 Posts Online | | Posted: March 1, 2005, 12:59 pm - IP Logged | |
This would be a dark day for Texas lottery players.  | | |
San Angelo, Texas United States Member #1110 January 31, 2003 803 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 1, 2005, 1:16 pm - IP Logged | |
Crowe's denials, even when faced with an email, shows just how corrupt the lottery system is in Texas. Driven by greed and arrogance, they get together once a month to plan ways to get more money from the needy and working poor. They have no shame, no conscience, no sense of fair play. | | |
Stroudsburg, PA United States Member #1860 July 11, 2003 2642 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 1, 2005, 1:28 pm - IP Logged | |
Yes indeed. You can cut payouts, raise odds, raise prices, raise ages (which really bothers me because I'm a youth rights activist, agree to disagree). But the undisputed, ultimate sign of corruption is using computers to draw numbers. It basically telling players "Hey, f**k you, we're gonna rig your drawings so you can't win. And there isn't a thing you can do about it.", and every player knows it. | | |
Chief Bottle Washer New Jersey United States Member #1 May 31, 2000 19933 Posts Online | | Posted: March 1, 2005, 1:32 pm - IP Logged | |
JimmySand9: Crude, but correct. | | |
Tx United States Member #4650 May 4, 2004 5183 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 1, 2005, 1:38 pm - IP Logged | |
They say that the truth is in the pudding, I say that the truth is in the numbers. Shows just how corrupt the lottery system is in Texas. Driven by greed and arrogance, they get together once a month to plan ways to get more money: They have no shame, no conscience, no sense of fair play. The numbers tell the whole story, learn how to read them. The are seeking even greater control than they already have and they have almost full control already, look at the numbers for the whole history, compare the numbers from one state to another, better from all the states. I think that monopolies even from the government are unticonstitutional. Fair competition is good for you and me. Show your displeasure by playing online. Say no to all computer's draws and say yes to live televized draws. | | |
Yinzer Country, PA United States Member #4139 March 18, 2004 2729 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 1, 2005, 3:25 pm - IP Logged | |
at least they understand that RNGs are not perfect. I've redone my website. Go to www.dr-ew.com. I kept a lot of the old stuff, and I've added some new stuff. Look for more new stuff in the coming weeks. | | |
North Jersey United States Member #5812 July 18, 2004 14528 Posts Online | | Posted: March 1, 2005, 3:36 pm - IP Logged | |
 now's the time to stand up "texas". get on the bandwagon and tell whom ever you have to, that you're madder than he** about computorized drawings, but at least let "them" know. it's your money...!
"remember the alamo". Here's to the Liar-in-chief, exalted entrepreneur of the 3rd stage cancer of socialism. Barry..! In 2012, vote with your eye's open...! _________________________________________________________________ | | |
Tennessee United States Member #8005 October 15, 2004 11331 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 1, 2005, 3:58 pm - IP Logged | |
this makes me really nervous,i e-mailed the tennessee lottery a week ago and they told me they would never use computers,quite frankly these politicians see this as a cheaper alternative and the bad thing is its catching on quick. | | |
USA United States Member #8399 October 29, 2004 1133 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 1, 2005, 5:18 pm - IP Logged | |
Would Jesse James play the lottery? I think he'd continue robbing banks instead. | | |
United States Member #11779 February 17, 2005 24 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 1, 2005, 6:01 pm - IP Logged | |
Looks like they are following the poor lead of their neighbor, Louisiana. Their state lottery was instituted in 1992 and has always used computerized drawing to the distrust of many (the state has a history of political corruption and shady business practice). In the end though I'm sure that player-governed lottery will prevail. The challenge is getting the countless players across the nation, in the nooks and crannies, activated. | | |
Stroudsburg, PA United States Member #1860 July 11, 2003 2642 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 1, 2005, 7:07 pm - IP Logged | |
Quote: Originally posted by Todd on March 1, 2005
JimmySand9: Crude, but correct.
Crude? Sorry 'bout that, but the practice I was referring to is even more crude! | | |
White Mountains AZ United States Member #11349 February 6, 2005 114 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 1, 2005, 11:43 pm - IP Logged | |
The players in Texas have to really raise hell about this or they're gonna think they can get away with it and it'll spread everywhere for sure. Gotta make a stand somewhere, sometime. | | |
White Mountains AZ United States Member #11349 February 6, 2005 114 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 1, 2005, 11:45 pm - IP Logged | |
Anybody know how many states are already using computer drawings? | | |
Stevens Point United States Member #6573 August 24, 2004 3030 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 2, 2005, 12:49 am - IP Logged | |
Quote: Originally posted by LOTTOMIKE on March 1, 2005
this makes me really nervous,i e-mailed the tennessee lottery a week ago and they told me they would never use computers,quite frankly these politicians see this as a cheaper alternative and the bad thing is its catching on quick.
then they lied to you. they are not just using balls to pick their numbers. not unless certain ones have been weighted more. i would put my life on it. I believe life is about finding someone you cant live without And showing them how much you care every day of every month of every year | | |
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