Mass. Lottery ends game that was exploited by high-rollers

Jan 27, 2012, 7:57 am (14 comments)

Massachusetts Lottery

State will add New England multi-state game in March

By Todd Northrop

Massachusetts lottery players looking to buy Cash WinFall tickets this week had their last chance on Monday, the game's final drawing.

The canceled game was the talk of the lottery industry last year, when it was revealed that a small group of high-rollers had identified a weakness in the game's prize structure that would occasionally make the payouts astronomical for players who could afford to wager huge amounts of money at the right time.

(See Mass. Lottery game very profitable for those who know how and when to play, Lottery Post, July 31, 2011.)

In a statement published on its Web site, the Massachusetts Lottery said that the Cash WinFall game had an "extended presence in the marketplace", and previous statements from last year indicated that the game was fading in popularity.

A few days after the the game's payout weakness was revealed, the lottery attempted to repair the game's (and the lottery's) reputation by closing the loophole.

(See Massachusetts Lottery closes loophole after big winsLottery Post, Aug. 3, 2011.)

The Monday jackpot for Cash WinFall was worth $2,253,177, but there were no tickets sold that matched all 6 numbers to win it, so the jackpot money was distributed among all the winners of other prizes.

The second prize for matching 5 of 6 was bumped up to $29,397 from its normal payout of $4,000.  Similarly, the prize for matching 4 of 6 was increased to $1,185 from the normal amount of $150, and the prize for matching 3 of 6 was increased to $37 from the normal payout of $5.  (See the complete prize payout chart for Monday's Cash WinFall drawing.)

Players holding season tickets for Cash WinFall will be reimbursed by the lottery for the remaining value of their tickets.

The lottery is also allowing any players who are holding unclaimed free bets for Cash WinFall to use them to make wagers in the Megabucks Doubler game.  Each $2 Cash WinFall free bet ticket can be redeemed for either two $1 wagers in a single Megabucks Doubler drawing or one $1 wager in two consecutive drawings.

All unclaimed Cash WinFall free bets are valid for up to one year from the drawing date printed on the ticket, as are any other prizes from the game.

New multi-state game coming in March

The Massachusetts Lottery is countering the cancellation of the Cash WinFall game with talk of a new game, set to begin in March.

Lucky for Life, a new multi-state game to be offered in all six New England states, will offer players an opportunity to win $1,000 a day for life.

The six New England states include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The Lucky for Life game will offer 10 total ways to win a prize.  In addition to top prize of $1,000 a day for life, Lucky for Life will also feature a $25,000 second prize and other cash prizes ranging from $2,000 to $2.

The overall odds of winning a prize will be 1 in 6.6.

Lucky for Life tickets will cost $2 each, like the Cash WinFall game it replaces in Massachusetts.

Game sales begin on Sunday, March 11, 2012, with the first drawing taking place on Thursday, March 15.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Cletu$2's avatarCletu$2

A $1,000 a day for life.Thats a game that I would play!Too bad that it's only going to be offered in New England.

mcginnin56

Quote: Originally posted by Cletu$2 on Jan 27, 2012

A $1,000 a day for life.Thats a game that I would play!Too bad that it's only going to be offered in New England.

Yeeeeeehaaaaaa......I'm in NH. I'm definitely going to be checking this game out.    Banana

malie10

Kinda like PA's Treasure Hunt game. Once the Jackpot reaches more than 135,000 there are ways to play that guaratee you to win. But you take the chance in someone else winning too, because it never gets the high to begin with....

time*treat's avatartime*treat

"[E]xploited"? Skeptical

What's it called when they do the same to the players?

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

From the OP:

The canceled game was the talk of the lottery industry last year, when it was revealed that a small group of high-rollers had identified a weakness in the game's prize structure that would occasionally make the payouts astronomical for players who could afford to wager huge amounts of money at the right time.

Well, there you go folks. Even though it took people with a huge bankroll to do it, once a game is shown to be able to be beat it will no longer be available.

faber98
the ct lucky for life game pays 2000 a week for life which is different than the ma promo for 1000 a day for life (250,000 cap however) so which is it todd. are they revamping the game in all ne states to this 1000 a day for life or is the promo wrong.
Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by faber98 on Jan 27, 2012

the ct lucky for life game pays 2000 a week for life which is different than the ma promo for 1000 a day for life (250,000 cap however) so which is it todd. are they revamping the game in all ne states to this 1000 a day for life or is the promo wrong.

The new multi-state game is different than the in-state CT game.  In fact, many states have games called "Lucky for Life".

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Well, there you go folks. Even though it took people with a huge bankroll to do it, once a game is shown to be able to be beat it will no longer be available.

From what I read, the lottery officals knew high-rollers could take advantage of the game but it was the newspapers coverage of those winning that killed the game.   That should be a lesson for anyone who comes up with a legal strategy that actually wins a game to keep it to themselves.

JADELottery's avatarJADELottery

Keep in mind, the Lottery is Fixing it to keep people from Winning.

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

Another $2 game.

The writing's on the wall.

sully16's avatarsully16

Quote: Originally posted by JADELottery on Jan 27, 2012

Keep in mind, the Lottery is Fixing it to keep people from Winning.

LOL, Jade you hit the nail on the head.

savagegoose's avatarsavagegoose

i gota  game its called loser for lifee, and prize is a  lifetime supply of lotto entries

PERDUE

Quote: Originally posted by rdgrnr on Jan 27, 2012

Another $2 game.

The writing's on the wall.

                                          I Agree!            I Agree!          I Agree!

mediabrat's avatarmediabrat

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Jan 27, 2012

The new multi-state game is different than the in-state CT game.  In fact, many states have games called "Lucky for Life".

If the Lucky For Life page on the CT Lottery website is any indication, it appears the multi-state game will replace the in-state game.

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