Texas Lottery has history of jackpot overestimationPrevious TopicNext Topic

Mr. Strutt does not feel that he is above the players — he is a registered Lottery Post member, and has participated in some discussions here in the forums.  He's a stand-up guy, in an industry that generally plays keep-away from its customers.

Todd:

That's good to know.  Thanks for sharing it.

Jack

Lottery marketers who think they're smarter than players by telling us what we're going to get because they say so are losing lottery participation especially in the south.  I expect it just may be contagious.

Konane:

I suspect there are a lot of people among those who run the lottery systems who share the view of a NM lawmaker just before he voted to adopt a NM lottery:  "It's a voluntary tax on stupidity."

Once a person assumes that posture of thinking, the sky is the limit in terms of what they'll figure they can put over on the stupid folks who are paying for whatever rides they dream up.

Jack 

Am sure you're correct in your assessment of the answer.  However, if players feel their input falls on deaf ears they will never voice their opinons.  If enough people contact them then perhaps that voices will be heard.  Or it may take more of "speaking with their pocketbook" as they seem to be doing.

I've contacted the MSL before and yes, they are very  forthcoming in answering questions about Powerball ... mine were about ballsets and machines used. 

The internet is changing many things very rapidly such as blogger influence on the news and lottery players getting together here  .... wise people listen closely and make changes accordingly. 

...However, if players feel their input falls on deaf ears they will never voice their opinons.  If enough people contact them then perhaps that voices will be heard....

That is precisely why it is important to strengthen Lottery Post, by increasing the number of players from various states who participate here, and by insisting that the state lotteries participate and draw feedback from here.

It is true for any industry that the only way to affect change is to have a strong independent place where people can make their voices heard.

It does little good for people to send their comments into a state lottery, where all statistics about how many people want a certain thing to happen will be buried.

Before bloggers demonstrated bias and inaccuracies perpetuated by the mainstream media I suppose politicians, lotteries might have gotten away with that narrow mindset. 

However they need to sense the undercurrent and feel the pulse because it's changing thanks to the internet. 

Let me expand on my last comment a bit:

Take, for example, computerized drawings.  A computerized state like New Mexico would never, ever change back to real lottery drawings if all that happens is that people send negative feedack to the state.  However, it IS possible to make that happen if enough outrage is expressed, and the feedback is coordinated through Lottery Post.

For another example, look at Texas.  They were considering going to computerized drawings, and it is quite possible that if it were not for Lottery Post, all Texans would be relying on a computer to draw their numbers right now.

 Or it may take more of "speaking with their pocketbook" as they seem to be doing.

At the end of the day, that's the voice that comes through the bullhorn.  Maybe the only one in a lot of places.  Seems the MBAs hear with their calculators.

Jack

Georgians spoke with their pocketbooks and it was heard all the way up through the legislature. 

The NY legislature doesn't seem to be listening to complaints about the terrible NY Lotto prizes.