Includes video report
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Lottery is looking for volunteers who are Pennsylvania residents over the age of 55 to appear as witnesses on the evening drawing show in Harrisburg.
Witnesses perform different functions on two consecutive evenings, and will appear on-camera one of those days. The process lasts approximately 2.5 hours and starts at 5 p.m. each night.
All witness are directly involved in the selection of the drawing machines and ball sets used for drawings. They also observe all pre-drawing and post-drawing tests.
"Serving as a drawing show witness is more than just a chance to be on TV; witnesses represent the public interest by helping to ensure the security and integrity of our drawings," said Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko. "We sincerely appreciate the participation of all of our witnesses since we started televising drawings 38 years ago."
The evening drawing includes all PICK games and Cash 5. It also features the Match 6 Lotto drawing on Mondays and Thursdays.
The nightly drawings are held at WITF Studios, 4801 Lindle Road, Harrisburg.
Witnesses are responsible for providing their own transportation and, if necessary, lodging.
For more information or to sign up, call the Pennsylvania Lottery at 717-702-8067, or send an email to RA-lot-drawing@pa.gov.
VIDEO: Behind the scenes of Pa. Lottery drawings
They SHOULD be PAID!! Why do it for free? Give me a break!!
Because if they were paid, someone could call it a bribe to get them to say all is "above board and honest". Wish we could get school staff to supervise drawings here in NC. Things are getting out of hand and very corrupt within the North Carolina (So-called) Education Lottery.
That is ridiculous. Why on earth would you want to lottery to take money away from prizes for paying people to witness drawings? You seriously need to think before writing.
Why over 55? at first I thought it might be because the 55+ crowd could play the lottery when PA started televising 38 years ago - then I did the math and unless they allowed 17 year olds to purchase tickets then...
So I'm still with my question. Why over 55?
... although I would volunteer if I were a PA resident (which I amn't). It could be kind of fun.
Wish we had something like this here in Ohio. I would volunteer in a heart beat! I don't understand though why 55+? That age group doesn't have more integrity than other age groups. Sounds discriminatory.
My guess is it's a security issue and that their security team can take down senior citizens easier than they could someone in a younger age group since were dealing with machines that produce billions for the lotto people...lol
B/C in PA. lottery proceeds benefit Seniors, not minors.
They used to have them actively participate in the draw, then one time a ball was mishandled,
don't recall the details, it was long ago.
After that they decided to make them witnesses.
I think it would be fun to watch the process.
I like the idea of 55 and older. Since some of the profits benefit seniors it seems
fitting to let that age group...aof a few years prior to it...participate in the workings.
I wouldn't like seeing some 20 something standing there. Even though they might play
it seems best to keep it at a more aged, seasoned group. It works.
Todd, I'm glad that video was worked in! It is entertaining and informative.
Maybe they volunteer thinking it might help their number selections. It would be great if state lotteries would make the test drawing results available.
How does one become a Day drawing witness?
Recently, televised evening drawings moved from Philadelphia ABC WPVI 6 to Fox WTXF 29. I get the sense PA Lottery wanted more time allotted than what 6 ABC was willing to provide. It seems the PA Lottery is increasingly using the evening draw to mainly advertise lottery products with the numbers selection being secondary. It seems only a matter of time before PA evening draws switch over to computer RND too.
On a related topic, numbers games are treated with much disdain by some lotteries with the latest numbers buried on another page. PA Lottery, one must click a link. Likewise with Texas (a small link at the upper left top) and California (very hidden; pull down under Win menu). NJ and NY get it right.
You sir, are being "ridiculous" in my humble opinion. Here's why. Somehow,someone is going to have to pay SOMETHING to be a volunteer(s) to perform those functions. Whether it's out of the volunteers/lottery pockets - travel, vehicle wear and tear, cab ride, bus fee, something is going to have to come out of someone's pocket. Asking someone to commit to volunteering at specified times without fail ?? Sorry Todd, I am not feeling that will happen without glitches. While it's nice in theory, the only way I could see that could possibly happening is if you had your volunteers (55 & over) living within walking distances, who were 100% trustworthy that would do this out of "love for the lottery". I have reservations that the lottery will just "allow volunteers" to come into their facility without having some background/security check/physical inspection(perhaps with issued ID's). It may not be a pay check to an employee but there will always be costs to having volunteers performing functions affiliated with a government controlled business. How do I know this ? I worked at a government controlled business that had "volunteers". Those volunteers cost the taxpayers and definitely weren't free.
I am leaving off your last line as a matter of professional courtesy.
The Officials get PAID that runs the PA Lottery, the Woman or Man that draws the numbers get PAID, everyone involved with the PA Lottery gets PAID.... Correct?
So the lil guy that witness the drawing has to PAY for lodging, travel and his time is not valued?? Doesn't make sense to me.
No, it is called taking advantage of people.