SC Lottery not paying winnings on game because of 'programming error'

Comment #41

KY Floyd — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 06:55:05 GMT

It's only the serial number on the ticket that matters.

The serial number may be what's used to identify the ticket, but you don't think that's the only information involved in the process, do you? It could be checked when the ticket is generated, it could be checked during validation, or it could be done at both times, but that serial number points to a database entry that contains all the information about the ticket. If it's a winner they know exactly why it's a winner.

lotteries usua... [ More ]

Comment #40

sam9009 — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 15:52:02 GMT

That a fact

Comment #39

BevsPicks — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 23:31:10 GMT

It's about time for an agency to step up to the mistake Kudos to south Carolina.

Comment #38

Sheezabeast — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 00:09:31 GMT

All of a sudden sc jas been bringing repeat numbers ALL week. They know what they are doing.

Comment #37

JWBlue — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 23:24:03 GMT

I am sure there is something in the rules about computer glitches. I am sure an independent auditor verified the glitch.

Nobody should be paid.

Comment #36

Ron5995 — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 23:02:59 GMT

Wow! Firstly, the potential prize liability is 3X what I thought it would be. Secondly, for the SC Lottery to set aside nearly $20 million strongly suggests they're intending to payout.

SC Lottery is going to let this ride a bit to see which way the winds blow. My guess is in the end, they'll payout to put the incident behind them. Also, the positive PR of paying out could offset some of the $19.6 million loss, especially with both Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots currently being relative... [ More ]

Comment #35

faith117 — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 22:42:54 GMT

SC Lottery will continue to investigate glitch but will set aside 19.6 million dollars for a potential payout.

Comment #34

Ron5995 — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 21:15:55 GMT

The symbols, numbers, etc shown in the game play area is meaningless in regards to automated validation. It's only the serial number on the ticket that matters. If no players were paid, the validation system worked. However, if any players with such tickets were paid, there was a lot more wrong than just a printing glitch.

While the tickets are printed on demand, the game is likely just as predetermined as regular scratch offs with winners seeded well in advance. For that type of game, there... [ More ]

Comment #33

KY Floyd — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 20:42:13 GMT

I'd assumed it was simply a printing error, such as too many winning symbols shown.

Based on the report, that's exactly what it was. Sort of. The tickets were printed incorrectly, but it was obviously a flaw in the software that resulted in the printing error. Since something caused the software to incorrectly print the tickets so that they appear to be winners it seems perfectly reasonable that those tickets would appear to be winners when they're checked against what's likely to be the sam... [ More ]

Comment #32

tlady4 — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 15:34:29 GMT

something is not right they could have been working together no one really plays that are a play and why would you keep buying not knowing you were gonna win or not who spends 100 dollars on the games to get add a play CONSPIRACY give the purchase mine back keep it moving

Comment #31

Ron5995 — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 15:30:28 GMT

That definitely changes matters. I'd assumed it was simply a printing error, such as too many winning symbols shown. If any players with those non-conforming tickets were truly paid, that indicates a far more serious issue with the master file and/or validation process. Also, raises the possibility of insider(s) seeking to quietly cheat the SC Lottery, but messed up in doing so.

The lottery is often its own regulator, so players not paid could have a tough legal fight. However, the SC Lottery... [ More ]

Comment #30

noise-gate — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 15:10:23 GMT

So, it had to take consultations with lawyers First, before this was considered an emergency

Comment #29

zephbe — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 12:05:09 GMT

Comment #28

faith117 — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 10:19:11 GMT

After consulting with lawyers SC will be having emergency meeting today at 2pm.

Comment #27

travelintrucker — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 09:05:03 GMT

I don't see why people are complaining that the game or lottery games are rigged in SC. It's the lottery! It's designed to only produce a certain about amount of winners. I do agree that you should stay away from RNG games. However, it still doesn't change the fact that the odds are stacked against you. For instance, the Palmetto Cash 5 odds of winning $100,000 is 1 in 501,942. It would take, on average 16.7 human life spans just for your set of numbers to come up once. And that's if the game do... [ More ]

Comment #26

zephbe — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 07:19:42 GMT

Holiday Cash is an add on game.

1. For an extra $1 per play, the lottery terminal randomly generates an Add-A-Play ticket when you purchase one or more of these online games: Pick 3, Pick 4 or Palmetto Cash 5.

You have to buy another ticket to add-a-play.

What are the odds you would win more on the add-a-play than the main ticket? Win every time you added a play??

If it's too good to be true it usually is.

Comment #25

Meekahjo — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 06:42:56 GMT

It would be different if they hadn't paid anyone but I was devastated after the people in front of me in line cashed in for $2,000 then when it was my turn the machine started saying transaction not allowed

Comment #24

noise-gate — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 05:32:01 GMT

l was thinking, about this...

Coggins knew she was on to something when she bought a Holiday Cash ticket, and paid an extra dollar to add a play.

Coggins won.

I was happy, she said. I was excited. I was calling everyone I knew, 'I won $500.'

To test her luck, Coggins bought another ticket.

And it was another winner and another winner. So I thought, 'Well, maybe there is something wrong with their machine. This can't be real.'

She drove to two other gas stations with the s... [ More ]

Comment #23

JAMORA — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 04:08:16 GMT

It only became a problem when the the glitch wasn't in the commissions favor....

Comment #22

tkr333 — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 04:05:21 GMT

So what their saying is their lottery is rigged ! Just this time it was nt rigged in their favor !! South Carolina players should boycott all state lottery, untill those tickete are paid

Comment #21

faith117 — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 01:22:58 GMT

So true!!!! Wish I would've known I would've got 100 tickets

Comment #20

faith117 — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 01:20:01 GMT

Comment #19

faith117 — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 01:15:36 GMT

Yes

Comment #18

sam9009 — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 00:00:40 GMT

I wonder if you were able to cash it in before the glitch became known.

Comment #17

tlady4 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 20:25:42 GMT

LOL Greed gets them everytime

Comment #16

psykomo — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 15:36:27 GMT

Psyko agree the winners should get their money .....reguaaaaaaardless$$$$$$$$ OF THE PROGRAMER ERROR'$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

HOWEVER, THERE COULD BE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA PROBLEM. WHEN YOU BUY TICKET OR TICKETS. DID YOU AGREE TO abide by all the rules regulations of this states lottery??????????????????????????????????????????????? if you did you maaaaaaay have lost ALL UR RIGHTSXXXX

GOOD LUCK now and 2018 222222222

Comment #15

erica3578 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 15:17:28 GMT

I think the players should get their money! As much as we spend our hard earned money to play these games they need to ensure that the machines and programs are topnotch...

Comment #14

Soledad — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 15:13:52 GMT

Oh man! Here we go again. The game was 'programmed' incorrectly and it just spit out too many winners.

I won I won!! I spent my last $4! Go to collect they not paying. The lottery said something about the tickets being worth $500 bucks and to hold onto your ticket because you never know if it's worth something. Uh, maybe I'm getting old but if you check your numbers and they match isn't that a sign that you won?

Wow, messed up. computerized games are the worst! Good luck next time---wow... [ More ]

Comment #13

Bleudog101 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 13:50:10 GMT

Kind of torn three ways with this. My first thought was just give the folks the money, say mea culpa and be done with it.

Then they could just refund the cost of each ticket.

Lastly, though not my favorite choice by any stretch is to have the Feds get involved and maybe just put an end to the RNG in good faith. Who knows? I stopped playing Five Card Cash here since it is RNG and notice other states have the same lottery. Not one $100K yet in KY. How can you win when the computer already k... [ More ]

Comment #12

lucky6025 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 13:00:36 GMT

so if state claims cliche in machine then 2. options either pay all winners 1. pay all ticket holders amount paid for ticket can't have it both ways...but alot of players probably already threw tickets away.

Comment #11

dlivey1964 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 11:26:45 GMT

Computer glitch my azzzz, what a rip off. These lottery commissioners just making a killing for themselves. This is happening too often thru out the States that plays.

Comment #10

zephbe — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 21:53:10 GMT

SCEL has not decided how to handle this yet. They had a mixup with a pick 3 number before and paid both numbers. They try to be fair so I'll wait to see how they remedy the situation.

Comment #9

Ron5995 — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 21:48:09 GMT

Exactly. Hence, most likely the SC Lottery will offer a refund for all non-conforming, invalid tickets. Hopefully, they make the process simple, but it wouldn't surprise me if the affected players have to mail in the tickets and wait a couple of weeks or so for a refund check. For many lotteries, such as PA, that's usually how refunds for errors are handled.

Presuming the potential prize liability is several million dollars or less, the SC Lottery could easily afford to pay out. However, it s... [ More ]

Comment #8

Raven62 — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 21:44:35 GMT

So much for: Program Quality Assurance

Comment #7

One-Day — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 21:35:45 GMT

I didn't even read the article, but I'm sure this case is same ole same ole, we had an error so you are SOL. All I know there should be a Tough Luck law in favor of the winners. They did their part buying the ticket, so now pay up! How many times has the lottery have had some type of error, didn't tell anybody, and they still kept players' money? I'm sure many times.

Comment #6

faith117 — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 20:34:47 GMT

.......after what happened in SC I totally agree you can set the system to produce losing tickets with computerized drawings

Comment #5

Whiteboi — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 20:10:11 GMT

So do you all think they are not going to pay the people that usely purchase 2 or 3 daily.? As that wasn't wrong in my personal opinion.

Comment #4

noise-gate — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 19:29:26 GMT

Yep, that's like being the driver in the getaway car of a bank heist. I wasn't in the bank l was just waiting outside.It's a mixture of greed stupidity.How is losing $100 not wrong

Comment #3

EdG1955 — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 19:13:49 GMT

We didn't do anything wrong, Coggins said.

Uh, yeah right. She knew there was a problem with the tickets but she kept buying more of them and she even got her mother to go buy some. Greed overwhelmed common sense.

Comment #2

music* — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 18:21:18 GMT

The South Carolina Education Lottery might be called Scrooge or The Grinch but in both cases, they changed their penny-pinching ways and were saved.

Comment #1

tnwinner — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 18:10:57 GMT

Just another example of why computerized games are a joke. People should quit playing these games. The computer is programmed not to pick winners. When you play it can make sure you lose.

SC Lottery not paying winnings on game because of 'programming error'

Lottery Post — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 17:18:07 GMT

People who believed they were big winners in a simple South Carolina Education Lottery game over the Christmas holiday were angry to discover that they won't actually win anything.

That's because a computer glitch awarded many would-be lucky lottery winners thousands of dollars through the Holiday Cash game.

From 5:51 to 7:53 p.m. on Christmas Day, the same play symbol was repeated in all nine available play areas on tickets which would result in a top prize of $500, according to the South... [ More ]