A look behind the scenes at Hoosier Lottery drawings

Feb 15, 2018, 12:57 pm (20 comments)

Indiana Lottery

Includes video report

By Todd Northrop

Hoosier Lottery televised drawings take less than a minute to complete but as a local media report shows, it takes hours of preparation every day to make it all happen.

Indiana's Hoosier Lottery utilizes both computerized and traditional ball drawings for its games. The media report focuses mainly on the traditional ball drawings, which are used for the lottery's Daily 3 and Daily 4 drawings.

The other in-state games — Cash Five, Hoosier Lotto, and Quick Draw — are conducted with a computerized random number generator.

The daily ball drawings are overseen by Steve Banks, the Hoosier Lottery's Senior Draw Manager. Banks is a retired First Sergeant with the state police.

Banks demonstrates how the balls are the most carefully guarded aspect of the drawings, likening the handling of the balls to police evidence.

"We figured that we ought to handle these balls and the machines — but particularly the balls — like you would handle evidence in a criminal trial," Banks explained.

The balls are carefully weighed and measured to ensure they are within strict tolerances, and they are never handled directly with human hands.

"We are very meticulous about handling them... storing them... weighing them, and making sure they're within the guidelines."

The drawing room itself is constantly monitored with surveillance cameras to track anytime someone is present.

When it comes to lottery drawing security, the Hoosier Lottery says their staff doesn't rely on chance.

VIDEO: Watch the report

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Most Lotteries follow similar procedures.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Hoosier Lottery and Power Ball.  A match made in Fate. A wonderful record.

 I recall past winners claiming anonymously in Indiana. 

Cheers

grwurston's avatargrwurston

Quote: Originally posted by Raven62 on Feb 15, 2018

Most Lotteries follow similar procedures.

All this security and they still have to do pre-tests.  Why?  In cased somebody tampered with the equipment. smh.

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by music* on Feb 15, 2018

Hoosier Lottery and Power Ball.  A match made in Fate. A wonderful record.

 I recall past winners claiming anonymously in Indiana. 

Cheers

If you call a blind trust anonymous---which I do, then yes, big winners in Indiana have done this through an Attorney.  I think one of them did what I'm going to do when I win---claim it through a LLC.

Bodia77

Mean while I have not seen a single video from the New Lotto America.

I try to contact my state lottery and they want my name and address all kinds of info to explain to why there are no videos (0.50 sec) about any of the Lotto America draws. So my take on it is they still using Computers to pick the number like Hot Lotto. If they don’t have 1 minute to post a draw on YouTube for as to see am not buying.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Quote: Originally posted by Bleudog101 on Feb 16, 2018

If you call a blind trust anonymous---which I do, then yes, big winners in Indiana have done this through an Attorney.  I think one of them did what I'm going to do when I win---claim it through a LLC.

My plans are to hire the correct legal help to place a barrier around my winnings. It that is an LLC then OK.

 Each State is different.

 Are you ready to become a Veteran at winning big jackpots? You could be asked to comment on future winners and their predicaments and good luck.

Dance

TheMeatman2005's avatarTheMeatman2005

In the video, the security director said that they check to make sure the balls all weigh the same.

If the balls all have different numbers on them and need more ink to make those numbers, wouldn't those balls weigh more than the others? ie: ball #1 compared to ball #8, or in the games with higher than 9 numbers ball #38.

Bleudog101

Friday @ 1 p.m. on FB the Kentucky Lottery will have a live question and answer period of how drawings are conducted.  Years ago they said if I were to win a game and wanted to witness the mid-day I could.

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by TheMeatman2005 on Feb 20, 2018

In the video, the security director said that they check to make sure the balls all weigh the same.

If the balls all have different numbers on them and need more ink to make those numbers, wouldn't those balls weigh more than the others? ie: ball #1 compared to ball #8, or in the games with higher than 9 numbers ball #38.

You have a point there TMM.

cbr$'s avatarcbr$
I have always loved watching the Hoosier Lottery drawings. Most people there will say
they saw the drawing no rigging.  Many people there are glad they take these games
cautions . With that much surveillance it lower the odd of a sandal like IA. Tipton. I
actually enjoy talking to the balls as they're being draw. Part of the fun of the games.
Bleudog101

chr$ never seen a drawing but we used to watch the TV show they had where folks could win some serious money.  Name slips me, long gone show.

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by cbr$ on Feb 22, 2018

I have always loved watching the Hoosier Lottery drawings. Most people there will say
they saw the drawing no rigging.  Many people there are glad they take these games
cautions . With that much surveillance it lower the odd of a sandal like IA. Tipton. I
actually enjoy talking to the balls as they're being draw. Part of the fun of the games.

Admire your candor on " talking to the balls" cbr$- however like spoilt kids, they don't seem to be listening to any of us. Folks using birthdays, anniversaries, wedding days, graduations dates or numbers,all for nought. These balls, much Like Kids prefer  doing their own thing. Now if only that lottery almanac from " back to the future 2 " was real..

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Feb 22, 2018

Admire your candor on " talking to the balls" cbr$- however like spoilt kids, they don't seem to be listening to any of us. Folks using birthdays, anniversaries, wedding days, graduations dates or numbers,all for nought. These balls, much Like Kids prefer  doing their own thing. Now if only that lottery almanac from " back to the future 2 " was real..

noise-gate that made me laugh.  Going to send you a private message in a bit.

Just as bad as me talking to the slot machines; won't say what I say because you guys would have me locked up in the loony bin.  Also like to rub the big blue IGT lottery machine, to no avail of course.

cbr$'s avatarcbr$

Quote: Originally posted by TheMeatman2005 on Feb 20, 2018

In the video, the security director said that they check to make sure the balls all weigh the same.

If the balls all have different numbers on them and need more ink to make those numbers, wouldn't those balls weigh more than the others? ie: ball #1 compared to ball #8, or in the games with higher than 9 numbers ball #38.

What they're talking about here is the pick 3 & pick 4 ball from 0- 9. That why 
they are handled with glove. You don't want a person who used lotion to handle
the balls without gloves. It a cause & effect thing. Every ball that come in contact
with main ball with lotion is getting some of it on them, making them heavier 
and less likely to come out the shoot. Most lotions are oil base. All the balls 
 need to be checked for cracks , dents ...etc. If a ball, machine anything to be
corrected should been done in the pre- draws. Better safe then sorry. 
Subscribe to this news story