Can the MM/PB bouncing balls be rigged?

Reply #14

PlayToWin47 — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:15:05 GMT

And actually, all the other players did nothing wrong, they matched the drawn numbers to various degrees, and would keep their prizes. The lottery would not be out any more money than they would be with a fair draw, so they are covered. That number, even if rigged, is the same as any other number to the rest of the players.

Sure, the players did nothing wrong, and it was great that they won (with rigged numbers) ... but what about the players that would have / should have won had the numbers

Reply #13

Jon D — Sun, 12 May 2013 02:38:28 GMT

So far in voting, 3 to 1 (12:4) think they can be rigged. I didn't think it would be that much, or especially those that think it was done already! (half of those that said yes)

I'm up for a good conspiracy theory as much as the next person, but always approach it from an analytical perspective. Just because you have physical ball draws, should not make you fall into a false sense of security. Magicians have relied on this kind of misdirection with a physical apparatus for centuries, making y... [ More ]

Reply #12

RedStang — Sun, 12 May 2013 02:18:24 GMT

They could be rigged, but test draws would probably show a problem and void them.

Reply #11

Stack47 — Sun, 12 May 2013 01:27:18 GMT

It happened in 1980 in Pennsylvania.

All of the balls except 4 and 6 were weighted, meaning that the drawing was almost sure to be a combination of only 4s and 6s. The scheme was successful in that 666, an expected result, was drawn on April 24, 1980; however, the unusual betting patterns alerted authorities to the matter. The chief conspirators were sent to prison, and most of the fraudulently acquired winnings were never paid out.

Reply #10

GASMETERGUY — Sun, 12 May 2013 01:11:48 GMT

I believe Kentucky is the guilty State. An employee was found guilty of shooting a drop of water in several balls thus adding to their weight. He (or she) then played the other numbers. Of course the ball were those ping pong type balls with all the incorrect numbers painted on them. I say incorrect because the numbers I play don't match what pops out of the machine.

Feel free to correct me if Kentucky was not the State. Otherwise, my mind is made up. Don't confuse me with facts.

Reply #9

Jon D — Fri, 10 May 2013 23:23:25 GMT

The draw would have to stand.

And actually, all the other players did nothing wrong, they matched the drawn numbers to various degrees, and would keep their prizes. The lottery would not be out any more money than they would be with a fair draw, so they are covered. That number, even if rigged, is the same as any other number to the rest of the players.

For the perps though, that's a different story. They were betting with inside information and committing fraud. Their monies would be purs... [ More ]

Reply #8

noise-gate — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:54:52 GMT

A number of years ago this rigging was pulled off. Some balls were altered allowing a close friend to collect the jackpot. Somehow word got out and it was rectified. Its probably on YouTube. Since that incident the lottery folk have taken extra precautions. I think it may have happened in Illinois or one of those States, certainly not on the West Coast.

Reply #7

PlayToWin47 — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:51:25 GMT

Yup ... I agree

Reply #6

redhot7 — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:28:49 GMT

So, what would happen if a draw is rigged but they don't find out until a year later?

Would they have another draw? What if the winner from the 2nd draw already discarded the ticket?

What would happen to winners who didn't rig the machine but won something (big and small)? Would they have to return the money they already spent

Reply #5

Artist77 — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:25:14 GMT

Yes, by will of my mind, I will telekinetically move the balls to the numbers I have chosen.

Reply #4

rdgrnr — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:23:18 GMT

Anything can be rigged, even mechanical ball machines.

But computers can be rigged to win and leave no evidence of it.

Reply #3

LottoBoner — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:20:13 GMT

With so much money on the line, I dont think the risk would be worth the reward.

It would not be wise to piss off 100 million players.

Reply #2

th19940305 — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:18:50 GMT

They could be, it seems that they do roll over mor then they should

Reply #1

Ronnie316 — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:16:52 GMT

With so much money on the line, I would not be surprised to find out that it happened.

Can the MM/PB bouncing balls be rigged?

Jon D — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:12:48 GMT

Do you think it's possible for the Mega Millions or Powerball bouncing balls draws to be rigged?

You may already know of the previous case of the rigged balls in the Pennsylvania Lottery scandal. But the MM/PB Jackpot games would be harder to pull off.

Do you think it's possible with the current format of the televised draws? How could it be done? Do you think it ever has been done? (undetected) Has anyone ever witnessed a MM/PB draw in person