Live drawing fluke puts Maryland lottery machine maker in spotlight

Comment #12

DarKrav — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:13:17 GMT

Another Garron machine

Comment #11

BevsPicks2 — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:30:52 GMT

Comment #10

markp1950 — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 06:40:41 GMT

Here is the questionable drawing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6S4BXP3-BY

I don't like the way that they handled it....

MarkP

Comment #9

markp1950 — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 06:33:57 GMT

I've seen problems with Illinois drawings a few times. They follow the order. Pick 3 Pick 4 Little Lotto then Lotto (if it's played that night)

If there is a problem with any drawing they STOP and say due to technical problems .

They turn off the camera and redraw and draw again after fixing the problem. They just don't show the drawing that night.

If your numbers came up during the problem drawing, it's too bad. That is the rules.

I trust their system.

http://www.youtube.com/watc... [ More ]

Comment #8

Todd — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:25:16 GMT

Sounds like you have not read any of the numerous news stories with catastrophic computerized drawing failures. You may put your trust in computers for fair drawings, but I sure don't.

You point out a little incident involving single drawing, and cast doubt on real drawings, but I guess you're implying you have no problem with months of computerized drawings in which huge swaths of tickets have no chance of winning.

You said Things usually go wrong when the games are first brought in. But... [ More ]

Comment #7

JimmySand9 — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:13:43 GMT

But you know the dark side is just going to use this as bogus example of how balls are unreliable .

Comment #6

Raven62 — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:01:12 GMT

It sounds like Garron is being unfairly indicted for a drawing problem that is outside their area responsibility.

Comment #5

four4me — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:45:05 GMT

The article states: An inspection of the Lotto machine used in last week's drawing discovered an issue with the third feeder tube. It was corrected, and the machine was put back in service, she said.

If some worker failed to replace the tube properly then it isn't Garron's fault as some members here have stated lottery operators change tubes or fool around with the equipment then blame can't go to Garron.

I know people who work or worked for Garron and all these guys do a great job with th... [ More ]

Comment #4

konane — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:14:04 GMT

Great to be able to watch drawings, occasional malfunctions included. If I can't see real balls drop into real machines .... I don't consider the game real and won't play.

Comment #3

RJOh — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:08:43 GMT

I have never won anything on any computerized drawing anyplace, but I like the idea that in one State you can choose to play the computerized OR the ball-drawings.

In which state can you choose which drawing you prefer and how do you do it? In most states you can only choose to play or choose not play at all if they have computerized drawings.

Comment #2

LckyLary — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:53:03 GMT

One time I saw a nj Pick-5 drawing where the hostess had to reach her hand in and while looking away she grabbed out the next 2 # after the machine got stuck.

nj has stopped live broadcasts of its Mid-day drawings. So maybe you can't always see things. In fact during a live draw the camera zooms in on the tube so you don't see the balls trying to enter.

Online casinos are probably all computerized. I don't know about Poker but other games almost have to be.

The idea to have computerized... [ More ]

Comment #1

Todd — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:11:28 GMT

I like this news story because it provides a great, visual distinction between real lottery drawings (like the Florida Lottery's) and computerized drawings that are used in some states.

When there is a problem or glitch with a real drawing, everyone can see it -- the drawing hostess, the security staff, and even YOU, watching at home.

If this was a computerized drawing and a problem occured, guess what would happen. Nothing. You would never know about the problem and, judging from history,... [ More ]

Live drawing fluke puts Maryland lottery machine maker in spotlight

Lottery Post — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:11:17 GMT

When it comes to Florida Lottery games, the Ping-Pong balls get all the attention.

They carry the numbers that determine if players of games such as Lotto, Fantasy 5 and Cash 3 are winners.

Few people pay attention to the machines used to select the balls. At least, not until something goes wrong, as happened last week when a Lotto ball was selected... and then fell back into the machine's mixing chamber.

In an instant, the machine, manufactured by Garron Lottery Products in Baltimore,... [ More ]