Missouri Lottery gives inside view of computerized drawings

Comment #31

Dead_Aim — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:10:23 GMT

Secure, true random, highest integrity. Big words for a MO lottery ad, that can't show a way to prove it.

In any event, the bottom line is, you can show me a set of balls, you can show me the blower, you can show me the button to turn it all on and operate the machine and get a result, yet, in a million years would you still never expect me to be able to select the very next outcome with all the bouncy balls, would ya? That is because it is truly random.

Yet, you would never consider showi... [ More ]

Comment #30

Base400 — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:42:18 GMT

Wow that's very impressive for VA. I am going to check in on neighbor states and see if I can play a bunch of times.

Comment #29

Captain Lotto — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:49:48 GMT

I have to admit, the computer talk is beyond me. But it seems like you'resuggesting that you should be able to predict the outcomes. That's the exact opposite of what the Missouri Lottery works to achieve. The goal is to produce secure, fair and random drawings and the system isdesigned to do just that. The computers are secure and not connected to any networks. A true random number generator resides with each system. The drawing process is random for each game within the parameters of that game... [ More ]

Comment #28

rdgrnr — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:02:50 GMT

I think most people don't play the TN Cash5 for one reason - computers.

But if you look past that there are even more reasons not to play it if you can cross over to another state and play theirs.

I go to VA to play their Pick5.

TN has 3 drawings a week (M-W-F). VA has 14 drawings a week (Twice a day, 7 days a week)

TN has 39 numbers in their game. VA has 34.

TN's odds are 1 in 575,757. VA's odds are 1 in 278,256.

TN's game only allows $1 plays. Va's game lets you play $1 or 50... [ More ]

Comment #27

Dead_Aim — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:48:27 GMT

I see your point and the clock on the machine could make a huge difference, and that I had already assumed, is why the start, stop and draw time would be crucial. A way for them to show us that is not the case is to rig 3 identical systems together and set the seed to all the same values and have them all set to turn on and off and draw with one button. 1 button for start, one button for draw, one button for shutdown, I would like to see the results for that scenario and see just how different t... [ More ]

Comment #26

KY Floyd — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:05:20 GMT

But I believe the logic is sound.

The logic is sound but your reasoning and assumptions aren't. As near as I can tell you're simply saying that the nature of RNG's is that under an exact set of circumstances there will only be one possible result that can be produced. Obviously if the seed is different then the exact set of circumstances between two machines isn't identical and with all other factors being exactly the same they won't produce the same results. You're obviously assuming that t... [ More ]

Comment #25

Hermanus104 — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:42:07 GMT

Just some thoughts I have:

- The Missouri Lottery started day drawings in 2004 as well. Is there a link between the two perhaps?

- I remember reading that the Arizona and Texas lotteries had problems with their lottery drawing computers. In Arizona, the machine was accidentally programmed to draw numbers between 0 and 8 instead of 0 and 9. In Texas, the machine was programmed to not draw doubles. Arizona fixed the mistake, and Texas went back to its balls.

- D.C. used ping-pong balls u... [ More ]

Comment #24

Base400 — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:02:26 GMT

I live in TN and I for the Pick 5 the avg life before it resets back to 40k is around 140-160k, meaning the jackpot is hit before it goes any further. I hear alot of harsh things about TN, what exactly is the probably other than the numbers being generated. Do people suspect of TN choosing when to let the jackpot go? or etc? If so I will only play PB and MM.

But as for Cash 3, Cash 4, and Pick 5 people are hitting, I just want to become one of them! lol.

Comment #23

Dead_Aim — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:49:20 GMT

I beg to differ and ask you to show me where I may be mistaken if you can. (considering I know you work for the MO lottery office there in Jeff)

O.K. If you started your game with 3 different computer systems drawing the numbers and each hard drive has the exact same software installed on it and each of the 3 systems started with a different seed originally get the program up and running. From that point on, they have to follow the same routine to give a result. Do they not? Based on radioact... [ More ]

Comment #22

Captain Lotto — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:40:29 GMT

After they choose whichsystem will make the drawing. They have in fact eliminated a great manychoice that can not possibly come out.

I think you're a little off here. The computer selects the winning combination based on the parameters of the game. No potential combinations are left out.

Comment #21

KyMystikal — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 07:54:24 GMT

Tn lost a lot of my business too. I was really pissed when they changed the format for drawing and the fact that so many people including me had complained and they swore nothing was wrong. There are a lot of people who track numbers and can tell when something is wrong with the drawings and contacted the state about it. I was one of the 1st to contact the state and tell them that it was extremely rare for them to go 2 weeks without a double coming out in both the evening and day drawings.

I... [ More ]

Comment #20

Dead_Aim — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:29:32 GMT

MO lost 99% of my playing business as well, the day I got to see how things were conducted. The straw that broke the camel's back was the 3 different systems making the drawings. It is bad enough that it was all done with pseudo randomness in the way of a computer, but then to spread it over 3 systems? The only reason to spread it over 3 systems is because they are afraid that their pseudo randomness over 1 computer is not secure and of course they are correct, but they would never admit that.... [ More ]

Comment #19

LOTTOMIKE — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 23:42:03 GMT

they lost my business is tennessee when they went RNG and i was spending a healthy amount.thing is i was winning quite a bit so i had no problem spending quite a bit.when you factor in the hundreds of people just like me who quit playing then the pick 3,pick 4 games took a huge loss of business.i think mrs. hardnose here in tennessee realizes that now but its too late to turn back so she justifies it and twists the facts about how great things are.

Comment #18

jrosina — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 19:20:29 GMT

Did he say that they ran 3 pre Test Then the actual drawing??! Just asking

Comment #17

Keystone — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 16:17:09 GMT

Sales in Tennessee plummeted when the computer draws took over.

I can see it as OK if a State has two drawings a day and one is computer and the other ball, but if both drawings are computerized that would not be a good thing.

Powerball and megamillions.............hundreds of millions in revenue would likely be lost if they were to become computerized.

Comment #16

konane — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 15:03:07 GMT

Awesome find about computer controlled devices .... very pertinent to this discussion! Thanks for posting it

Comment #15

butch2030 — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:55:17 GMT

Nothing is safe, if it is in regards to computers or anything else. The only thing you can be 100% sure of is DEATH TAXES. You think you are safe, and not to change the subject, but read this article from CNN on 04/16/2010.

(CNN) -- Nathanael Paul likes the convenience of the insulin pump that regulates his diabetes. It communicates with other gadgets wirelessly and adjusts his blood sugar levels automatically.

But, a few years ago, the computer scientist started to worry about the securit... [ More ]

Comment #14

maringoman — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:41:21 GMT

I like this forum because it is helping the lotto players push back. If we dont push back against those awful RNG's then God forbid but they will try to use them for Mega Millions and Powerballs. I know the adminstrators for the two interstate games are watching very closely to see how people react to RNG's. We cant let them one day be able to say see, it has worked for Tennessee and Indiana so it should work here

Comment #13

mjwinsmith — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:47:18 GMT

ain't nothing like the real thing, ball based numbers generated and out in the open for all to see as it happens. One thing about computers that can't be denied.....Garbage IN, Garbage OUT!

Nuff Said

Michael

Comment #12

Todd — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:26:24 GMT

Click State Lottery Report Card in the Results menu.

Comment #11

dartiger — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:22:56 GMT

Does anyone know how many states choose their number this way,

and are there any live drawings.

Comment #10

takeitez — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 12:00:13 GMT

When a man has to tell you how honest he is....

ez

Comment #9

joshuacloak — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 07:47:47 GMT

my state rng errors tn

made me think, we need open source code to the public LOL

if we could all View the code, look into it, run it our selfs,

if such a thing happened, someone in the public would of freaking noticed TN massive Beep code was missed up beyond belief

and they could show visiters the open source code running on their pc, unedited form what the public has

MAYBE just , MAYBE then I start trusting it

when i can use their software my self,

and see for my sel... [ More ]

Comment #8

grave — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 04:11:10 GMT

i trust the ball machines way more than i trust that RNG.....it looks to fish and it seems like they have the control all they way in their hands.....

Comment #7

LckyLary — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 02:48:48 GMT

And again, I yell about something, and something is done about it! I have kept saying, show us how the computerized numbers are drawn so we have less fear of these drawings being used. Unfortunately the @* ^! BoobTube site won't allow me to download. Anyway now hehehe I can write my own program to mimic the computerized one. Doh! it's in Missouri, too far away! How about Pennsylvania Midday? use the same software??? We're there!!!

By the way, don't we want it to NOT be too random? if it's com... [ More ]

Comment #6

Dead_Aim — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:52:43 GMT

See the window to the left. That is the draw room. You see the hallway they are in?

That is where you have to stand to watch the drawing. You see how narrow it is?

That is a regular working hallway in the building. When I went to cash my 5 out of 6 hit last year

on the MO Lotto I ask to watch the midday drawing. In the very short process I was interrupted

from watching it 3 times by passersby trying to use the hallway.

I have said it all many times before. And I will say it again... [ More ]

Comment #5

Todd — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:40:35 GMT

Not only that, but the whole world got to witness how easy it is for a computerized drawing to become corrupted, as weeks of drawings were tainted, and thousands of tickets had no chance of winning, because of a programming error .

Comment #4

GASMETERGUY — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:28:32 GMT

The

Tennessee Lottery did something like this about a year ago. Their video did nothing to convince me that their drawing was fair and balanced. They still retreat behind closed doors only to emerge several minutes later with the winning numbers .

I want to see the balls being flung around in a clear plastic container. I want to see the balls drop into a clear plastic chute. I want to see the numbers on the balls.

Until that day comes, I will firmly believe the Tennessee lotto is rigge... [ More ]

Comment #3

konane — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:02:00 GMT

Note they use marketing catch phrases Advances in computer technology new approach .

Because there is no way to witness the exact method the computer generates the numbers, there will always remain a degree of doubt as to how random the numbers really are.

The Missouri Lottery, by way of its inside-look video, hopes to erase some of those doubts, and to tout the system's benefits as more efficient, less costly, and more secure.

Less costly to use their retired machines and ball... [ More ]

Comment #2

pick4hawk — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:31:35 GMT

How can anyone ever trust machines that one can never see, feel, and hear

Comment #1

pick4hawk — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:10:25 GMT

todd

Until people believe that the non-physical computer machines are more fun than the ping-pong ball machines to view. People will most likely view the machines as rigged in the favor of state.

They can hold way to much data on past results. Perhaps just to verify they are working statisically within bounds but the whole thing smells like rigged slot machines to provide money supposedly for schools.

However only a small portion of money really ends up there.

I like the concept of a... [ More ]

Missouri Lottery gives inside view of computerized drawings

Lottery Post — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:54:58 GMT

Includes video report

For years, the Missouri Lottery conducted its daily drawings using mechanical ball machines.

In 2004, the lottery replaced its drawing equipment with a computerized drawing system that generates the winning numbers with a Random Number Generator (RNG) a computer program that instantly produces random numbers.

Several other states have switched to a computerized drawing system, but the concept has not swept through all the states, perhaps due to player pushback.