In this 2-part video report, MSNBC revealed the findings of their investigation, in which the most frequent lottery winners were almost always retailers.
To view the report, please click on Part 1 of the report below. When Part 1 has finished playing, continue by clicking Part 2 of the report.
It boils down to: The more You Play, the more You Win...
As was the case in Ontario, methinks there may be more to it than simple luck.
It's like someone telling you that you die to get the reward of your life.
It all luck or we play alot. When did they prove this as a consistant system.
I play a lot too I don't see 1 % of their result.
they cash tickets at 33%. i know a store that does this with pick 4 winnings. they buy the tickets for the claim form at 33% off.then they give cash on the spot . i didnt really watch the video, i just know thats a tactic
The "I / we / he / she plays a lot." is a B.S. statement when it's not supported by proof. Demonstrate this statement to be true by showing documentation that you have "played a lot". In many cases they can't because they did not ask the seller for a receipt of the sale, and yes, you can get a receipt for a lottery sale. Or, they don't have all the losing tickets that comes from "playing a lot." Another way to tell they are lying is questioning them about where they bought the ticket. As you seen, if you watched the videos, any instant response that has a hesitation in response or an "Uhhhh?" reply is really a clue. I know where I buy tickets and when I buy them, so asking me about that place is going to get an instant response, "Oh yeah, I was there on Monday and I just stopped in while I was doing some shopping. I remember because it was cold and rainy that day. I usually stop by there a lot..."
Now, enough about the winning side of this. There is a flip side that goes along with the winning. If you "play a lot" and "win a lot", then you also must by the Random Laws of the Universe, "LOSE A LOT." Simple, when you play that much, you lose at a rate that is consistent with the probabilities of the game. So, now the question becomes, "What kind of losses would be reasonable for a certain number of wins?"; well, there's an answer to that. Given that all things are equal and the Random Laws of the Universe didn't for some reason just seem to fall apart in close proximity of that person; we can approximate their losses based on their winnings. By example, we'll use the odds of 1 : 10,000 as a guideline and we'll make this a generic enough an equation to fit most situations.
So, finding the equation is very simple, just multiply both sides of the odds and you'll see. As an example, if I won 25 jackpots on a lottery with the odds of 1 : 10,000 in winning the jackpot, then my playing should approximate to 25 x (1 : 10,000) or 25 : 250,000. That value is the ratio of Wins : Losses. My approximate number of plays must be about 25 + 250,000 or 250,025 plays; approximately, but, you don't have to take my word for it. I "play a lot" too, only my playing is documented and it doesn't cost me very much. My playing is all done right here at the Lottery Post by using the Predictions feature of the website. All you have to do is look at my wins and losses and you'll see there is proof of the previous statements. Just look at my Pick 4 Prediction Postings and look a what my winnings are in relation to my losses; they are no where near the lucky streak those "play a lot" people are claiming.
Most of the tickets are 3 and 4 number games. The winning tickets are probably being cashed by these retailers for others who do not have proper ID or know they owe money - no U.S. ID, back taxes, child support, etc. which most states will cross reference with the social security number - and the state will take that out of their winnings. The retailer cashes the customer's ticket and takes a "cut" of the winnings for their "service" and to cover taxes due.
As far as I know, in most states, it is legal for a person off the street to enter into an agreement to cash a ticket for someone else and split the winnings, but the Lottery Retailer agreement signed by the store who sells lottery tickets may forbid this and the store could lose their license to sell lottery tickets if they are investigated by the lottery and the proof is there.
The store owners interviewed seemed anxious and nervous. They should have smiled and just said "I am a very lucky person" and not provide any further explanation. Or they could add "and buy my 'How to Win the Lottery' ebook online at xxxyyyzzz.com
I am going to agree with you Editgap, even those that play alot, they end up broke, not rich like these retailers and families are doing. I don't know how they are doing it but it isn't legal. And this is regarding the scratch off tickets and not the pick 3 or pick 4.
Ok, that is true, many people might owe child support, taxes or not be a American citizen and they want the money without having to go through any trouble and the retailer is going to cash their ticket in to make that money. No, it isn't right but the Lottery isn't doing anything to stop it so the retailers are going to continue to do it.
First of all, I don't think you can cheat the lottery. Its too random, but I know you can win without spending alot of money.
I've also have spoken to customers that have won $1000. or more, only to go cash it in, and have the money taken for child support, and walk out with nothing.
If you win p/4 or P/3 or maybe even a scracher, there's nothing illegal selling to someone else, for what ever the reasons. The bearer of the ticket is the winner. Maybe you owe child support, no ID, or it will throw you into another tax bracket that will cost you thousands. Just maybe, your willing to sell your ticket for half it value or less, so you get something rather than nothing.
One last thing, when playing p/4, you don't have to spend a fortune, all you have to know is its history. What goes around comes around, but how could you, unless you charted all 10000 number.
I've laways assumed that most of the excessive wins by retailers are because of the number of winning tickets that come through the door. Ocasionally they simply cheat their customers, but I'm sure that it's mostly a matter of buying the winners for a fraction of their value. Those who bought the tickets may have many reasons for selling them at less than face value, but I expct the various reasons all come down to thinking they'll keep more by settling for a smaller payment under the table, or avoiding the government for one reason or another.
"or it will throw you into another tax bracket that will cost you thousands."
Anyone who thinks that's a good reason to sell is probably an idiot who has no idea how taxes work. The most you will pay in taxes is 35% of the prize to the federal government, and whatever your state's maximum rate is. You don't get to keep it all, but you never lose money n the deal. I suppose there are a few people out there who would pay the maximum tax and will come out a bit ahead if the retailer will pay them 60 to 65% of the face value, but I doubt that's a very common scenario. What's the retailer's tax bracket? Unless their claiming a fairly modest taxable income their profit is fairly small if they pay 60 to 65% of face value. I'd guess that you might get 50%. That's a good deal if you're a deadbeat who's trying to cheat an ex out of alimony or child support, or avoid some other debt that's public record. If you think it saves on your taxes you're wrong.
I'm not sure you're getting what this is all about.
It's not about how random the lottery is. We all know that nobody is able to win prizes of greater than $5,000 that often -- even daily players.
It's about retailers that are probably involved in schemes in which they check customers' tickets to see if they are winners, inform the customer they have not won, and then take the winning tickets and claim the prize money for themselves.
If you check the Lottery Post news section for Ontario Lottery news stories, you find stories like this.
Or retailers paying players under the table so they can avoid back taxes and child support. Either way, it's shady business.
Indeed! Retailers collecting for illegal aliens too.
there are definitely some that let the retailer check their numbers and retailers tell them not winners, then proceed to tear and throw ticket in basket. They later tape it together and claim the lotto or scratcher at Lotto headquarters