lottery machines going down during a storm?

Reply #15

nsv314 — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 02:21:22 GMT

The machines at Ralphies in Toledo used to go out during storms all the time. They said it was a problem with their satellite dish. I'm not sure if it has been fixed yet, because I haven't been there recently.

It was like torture to go in for dinner and some Keno only to have their machine go down. You could still see the Keno drawings on the TV. Nothing like seeing that your numbers are hot, and not being able to buy a ticket!

I started going to Frickers or Sidelines for dinner/Keno/lotte... [ More ]

Reply #14

PrisonerSix — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 21:25:45 GMT

I've had that happen to me twice in the last week. Last Sunday, there was rain in my area and I was able to purchase tickets, but when the clerk went to cash one for me, the machine went down. He said it was because they use satellite and that goes down during storms. That happened to me on Friday when I went to buy tickets for my office lottery pool. I went to two places on my lunch break and both told me the same thing; that the satellite was down and they couldn't sell me tickets. The weather... [ More ]

Reply #13

Mr-Smith — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:46:45 GMT

The machines shut down for software updates and Accounting Process. Updates depend on the the time it takes to transfer the data...

Reply #12

karinda — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 20:37:25 GMT

In my opinion, any state would want their machines up and running during the designated hours to sell tickets. If the machines are down the retailers and the states lose revenue. I think in New Jersey the lottery machines are shut down from midnight to 5:00am at 24 hour convenient stores. That's only 5 hours that they can't cash or sell tickets. (Instants can be purchased 24 hours a day out of a machine, but I'm not sure about over the counter. They can't be cashed during the down hours though.... [ More ]

Reply #11

B$Rizzle — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:21:01 GMT

All said above is true. There is a gas station that a frequent right by my work that goes down EVERY time it rains it seems. I know to avoid that station if its even a light drizzle like yesterday. They don't have to shut the systems down to cheat you. They make enough money due to the odds, they are doing pretty well on the profits

Nothing fishy about it

Reply #10

Mr-Smith — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:52:46 GMT

Just a little inside info...

I use to own a shop and sold lotto tickets...

the system is Hooked up to Phone lines to transfer the info from the lotto terminal to the Main system.

So just like your home phone, cable, internet, can go down in a storm the lotto system is not imune to the force of nature.

Reply #9

predictor60 — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:27:38 GMT

There has been a few times when Lottery Machines were down from weather here in Ohio. everynow and then the Machines go down anyway. When one goes they all go.

Reply #8

Litebets27 — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:21:21 GMT

iGlenn is correct. Maryland's system receives it's transmission via satellite. You can always tell when a storm is nearing your area when you spend a little time in a store playing. The Keno and Ractrax screens disrupt and freeze.

Although, I have walked into a 7-11 in the afternoon to play at a busy time, during good weather, and found a sign on their machine, stating the system is down. Just to find out the clerks are so overwhelmed at that time that they just don't want to bother with Lott... [ More ]

Reply #7

ttech10 — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:08:20 GMT

Thought of this thread today. I stopped by two different places on the way back from running errands and both stores I stopped at had their lottery terminals down, I asked the clerk at the second store if she knew what the issue was but she just said they were down (she looked a bit annoyed so I assumed they had been down for some time). Our weather wasn't bad today though, so not sure what the deal was.

Then just a little bit ago I stopped by the store around the block to grab a soda and the... [ More ]

Reply #6

joker17 — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 03:26:26 GMT

IGlenn is correct. It works with satellites, and yes I do have Direct TV which also goes down in a heavy storm. Here in Florida, especially in the summer, If I wait too late in the afternoon to go to the store and purchase my tickets, the machine won't read the betslips. I also have the same problem with the credit card machine in my work van. In a heavy storm I have to write all the Credit card info on a special form and enter the info later when the weather clears up.

They don't need a stor... [ More ]

Reply #5

tiggs95 — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 02:15:01 GMT

The lottery does NOT have to cheat you to beat you out of your money..They have the best odds of all gambling games around..If you don't trust them simple...DO NOT PLAY...

Reply #4

iGlenn — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 02:14:52 GMT

is this just a coiencidence or does the lottery commission do this so that they can keep track of what numbers are played)quick picks or player picks?

They don't need to take the system down to do this... they know what numbers are played before the ticket even prints.

I use to buy tickets in Maryland and always had this problem during storms. One of the clerks told me once that the machines are on a satailite system and it frequently goes down during storms. A buddy of mine ha... [ More ]

Reply #3

grwurston — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 02:12:54 GMT

They went down here just this afternoon due a bad storm. Went to 2 store 3/4 mile apart. Went back 2 hrs. later all was fine.

Reply #2

four4me — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 01:49:36 GMT

so you think the lottery is corrupt..... oh yea they cant wait for a storm to brew so they can cheat people.

Their systems can go down just like the power lines, phone lines and satellite connections in your area do. Unless it's a major outage they are usually back on line in short order.

Reply #1

savagegoose — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 01:06:39 GMT

i cant comment on the events in your area. but just suggest getting in a day early if you play regular numbers. i cant believe things can get so bad they have troulbe taking lotto money.

lottery machines going down during a storm?

kyokushin187 — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 00:43:24 GMT

I have. Noticed here in my state on numerous occasions our lottery machines are down during a storm.is this just a coiencidence or does the lottery commission do this so that they can keep track of what numbers are played)quick picks or player picks?.I went to three diff stores in diff towns and all were down.kinda fishy to me.has anyone else noticed this