if a lottery official's kid won either the PB/MM jackpot. ..

Reply #20

noise-gate — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 20:42:13 GMT

It's just a discussion MrC but there are valid points on both sides of the issue. I just think its silly unless as you pointed out- if the kids win more than once, then its cause for concern.

However having said that- l cant imagine the powers that be making a press statement Folks the reason we don't have more frequent winners is because we barring lottery officials children from participating in the game ..

Like l said...its silly, but there l said it.

Reply #19

mrcraft — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 18:00:24 GMT

You're right about them not having any advantage in winning unless there's fraud involved. However, this industry is tied very closely to public perception. You're always going to have people that think the lottery is rigged or biased no matter what they do. But, if someone related to a lottery executive wins a big prize, and happens more than once, more people may begin to form the opinion that there is some favoritism or advantage gained or is outright fixed, and will stop playing. If enough p... [ More ]

Reply #18

noise-gate — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 17:44:06 GMT

I understand the rules JD, but some rules don't make it right. This specific rule has no basis in reality. There is no way in hell that being a child or children of a lottery official gives one the inside track to acquiring the winning lottery ticket. It more like guilt by association . But it is a discussion forum, so to each his own.

Reply #17

Jon D — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 15:03:00 GMT

Sure, people can sue for anything. This is a sue happy country full of ambulance chasers.

But the rules are the rules. That is SOP for any company with contests or promotions, that employees and their family are excluded.

To win a lottery prize, you must follow all the rules of the game that determines a winner. But there are many more rules than stated on the website or playslip. The official rules. You may not see them, but they are always in effect. From the CA Lottery official rules

Reply #16

noise-gate — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 05:29:22 GMT

Despite what the lottery committee may say-I still see a lawsuit in the making here. Why should you have to deny yourself a chance at millions simply because your parent works for the lottery? Its not like the parent is selling secrets of how to win the lottery . It's laughable.

I would sure like to know whether the children of lottery committee members are required to sign papers stating that they will not attempt to play any of the games including the jackpots

Reply #15

Stack47 — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 04:44:58 GMT

Not playing is a condition of employment so they simply tell their family members, don't play because you can't collect if you win . Lots of people think store owners and clerks should be banned from playing in their stores.

Reply #14

Coin Toss — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 01:31:33 GMT

As far as I know each states' PB and MM tickets don't just say Powerball or Mega Millions on them, they are preceded by the state name, Missouri Powerball, etc....

So I still don't see it being any controversy other than the standard, How come it's always a lottery employee or family member who flies from Ft. Lee, NJ to Tucumcari, NM that hits the jackpot?

I think the number of wiseguys that hit the Mass. lottery are far more curious, but that's just me.

Reply #13

Jon D — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 01:18:07 GMT

So as far as the question posed in the OP, if they won PB or MM in another state it wouldn't be any big deal.

I'm not so sure.

It's one thing if a lottery employee plays games offered in another state. Like if a NJ lottery employee crosses the border to play NY Lotto or NY Scratch games.

But the multi-state games still present a possible problem of conflict of interest and appearance of impropriety. What if the Florida lottery director's son won the Powerball jackpot, from a ticket he c... [ More ]

Reply #12

Coin Toss — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 23:45:47 GMT

Jon D,

Illinois has two state fairs and every year the Illinois lottery sets up a tent, sells tickets, and gives away logo hats, things to scratch scrathers with, etc...

When the workers are asked if they themselves play the lottery they say they can't play the Illinois lottery so just go to neighboring states.

So as far as the question posed in the OP, if they won PB or MM in another state it wouldn't be any big deal.

Reply #11

Jon D — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 22:47:24 GMT

I would find it extremely unreasonable for the Lottery to exclude family members from playing a game they love simply because one or both parents are directly affiliated with the Lottery Commission.

I completely disagree.

That's just tough dung. That's the price you pay for working for the lottery or being a member of the household of the same. No sympathy here. If they want to play that bad, they are free to find another job.

Sure, there are probably people who are on that prohibited... [ More ]

Reply #10

Jon D — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 22:41:14 GMT

In general, no, retailers are not considered prohibited players like direct lottery employees, vendors and contractors. Although some people think the should be.

Reply #9

noise-gate — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 21:48:24 GMT

Your response makes total sense Stack.

I would find it extremely unreasonable for the Lottery to exclude family members from playing a game they love simply because one or both parents are directly affiliated with the Lottery Commission. What's to stop the family members from telling a TRUSTED cousin's twice removed from claiming the jackpot on their behalf? I would be concerned about the outcome of computer generated games being routinely won by family members.

Reply #8

Stack47 — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 21:31:08 GMT

I'm assuming the term lottery official applies to people working directly for a state lottery ie. those making the decision and not necessarily the people selling the tickets. Quite a few LP members and probably a majority are demanding total anonymity for jackpot winners and if that happens, we will never know if lottery employees, including the director and the person supervising the drawings or people living under the same roof won a jackpot.

The argument could be made that in this case,... [ More ]

Reply #7

Stack47 — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 20:41:34 GMT

It depends if retailers and their employees are considered employees of the lottery because if they are, it would eliminate all extraordinary large prize ticket cashing. Now because there are so many examples of store owners and clerks cashing lots of winning tickets, it should be obvious their state lottery does not prevent them from playing games.

Reply #6

noise-gate — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 19:12:11 GMT

I can see this going all the way up to the Supreme Court.

Reply #5

noise-gate — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 19:09:14 GMT

One Day: I can see a Law Firm going to bat for a winner of a $200 mil jackpot being told you cannot collect simply because you live under the same roof as the Lottery official. The argument could be made that in this case, the Lottery is under the assumption that winning the jackpot is not random, given the odds.

Reply #4

Jon D — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 18:37:50 GMT

Too bad...so sad.

He's still your dad, so to play would be bad.

Reply #3

One-Day — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 18:36:20 GMT

If they live in the same household they can't collect.

Reply #2

noise-gate — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 18:26:10 GMT

JD- The operative word is generally not allowed , but let's just say for argument sake that the official has had a falling out with the kid/kids, they consider him/ her a lowlife parent and want absolutely nothing to do with the parent- least of all follow any instructions pertaining to their jobs...then what

Reply #1

Jon D — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 18:18:23 GMT

That is a no no.

Lottery employees, vendors and their family members are generally not allowed to play, and shouldn't be allowed to collect if they win.

Here is a typical example from a lottery detailing who is NOT allowed to play:

Employees of the Illinois Lottery, the Lottery Control Board, officers and employees of Northstar Lottery Group, LLC and its affiliates including Scientific Games International, Inc. and GTECH Corporation; officers and employees of Northstar Lottery Group's... [ More ]

if a lottery official's kid won either the PB/MM jackpot. ..

noise-gate — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 18:12:52 GMT

Would it raise eyebrows or would you consider it a fluke?

Have a wonderful rest of the week people