A computer error caused some television stations around Louisiana to broadcast the wrong Pick 4 numbers for the Louisiana Lottery's Tuesday night drawing, officials said.
A live relay transmission from Louisiana Public Broadcasting to several broadcasters inadvertently transmitted the numbers 0-0-0-0 instead of the winning numbers, which were 1-3-7-9.
Lottery officials said 800 Pick 4 tickets were sold with the numbers 0-0-0-0.
"Due to LPB's transition to a new automated system in our control room, the computer defaulted to zeros instead of reporting the actual numbers," said Beth Courtney, executive director for LPB. "We sincerely regret that this error happened."
LPB is under contract to transmit the winning numbers in a satellite feed to the TV stations.
The stations that receive the feed are: KTBS in Shreveport, WWL in New Orleans, KNOE in Monroe, KVHP in Lake Charles, KLFY in Lafayette, KLAX in Alexandria, Cox Cable and Cox Cable's channel 45 in Baton Rouge.
"We did call many of those stations, and most of them said they were able, even within the same broadcast, to tell viewers the right numbers," said Kimberly Chopin, a spokeswoman for the Louisiana Lottery Corp.
"We feel horrible about it for our players, that's very disappointing," Chopin said.
She said there is no provision for paying players who did not get winning tickets.
The top Pick 4 prize is $5,000 for a $1 play and up to $2,500 for a 50 cent play.
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