"Peeking" is scanning unsold cards to determine winners

Reply #8

duckman — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 16:17:27 GMT

The barcodes on the back are not validation barcodes. They are simply a digital representation of the ticket number (usually a long number showing the game number, group number, ticket in the book number, etc), and/or a UPC product code that retailers can scan just like any other product they sell at the register to bring up the price.

The validation bar code is usually underneath a scratch area on the front. I don't think we have the whole story in that news article...

Reply #7

Spincognito — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 22:47:22 GMT

Clerks on any individual lottery terminal cannot scan more than one non winning ticket in any 24 hour period or the machine will go into a protective mode requiring them to scratch off the void covering to cash any ticket. Prizes over $15 already require the clerk to scratch off the void and enter a code to cash.

I agree that Mass should adopt the GTECH technology and as i stated, the lottery is indeed looking to upgrade but I am not sure of when it will happen. Mass still has the highest % o... [ More ]

Reply #6

maringoman — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 21:45:09 GMT

Players in MA have to play the game. No self check.

Reply #5

LottoMetro — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 21:43:06 GMT

Spincognito:

So Massachusetts doesn't have any self-ticket checkers (i.e. player scans to see if winner)? I'm not thoroughly familiar with their lottery.

You also say, Clerks cannot scan more than one losing ticket or the system will not allow them to scan another ticket without scratching the complete void code. There is no way for them to scan a whole book of tickets to determine winners and losers.

If I'm understanding correctly, all they would have to do is scan one ticket, if lose... [ More ]

Reply #4

maringoman — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 21:34:04 GMT

Can they scan them without scratching off the VOID IF REMOVED area?

**This ticket is not mine. I just found it on the net and need it to use it for this reply

Reply #3

maringoman — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 21:28:49 GMT

The strange thing is that in MA, players don't have the option of scratching a specific area and scanning to see if the card is a winner or loser without playing it like they do in other states. Only retail clerks have that option and I think even for them, they have to scratch off that VOID area, reveal a code that they enter into the computer for the computer to give a message of winning ticket so I don't know how they can know the code without scratching it. Unless there are goggles that can... [ More ]

Reply #2

Spincognito — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 21:24:52 GMT

Clerks cannot scan more than one losing ticket or the system will not allow them to scan another ticket without scratching the complete void code. There is no way for them to scan a whole book of tickets to determine winners and losers. That being said, the state's lottery system software is indeed outdated and is to be updated in the near future.

Reply #1

LottoMetro — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 19:23:10 GMT

Strange that 'peeking' is even possible especially in a lottery like Massachusetts. In most states you cannot simply scan the ticket to determine its status of a winner...you have to physically scratch off at least some portion of the ticket. I was under the impression this was universal nowadays.

Edit:

From the audit report, Currently, the barcode used to cash MSLC instant tickets is located on the back of each ticket.

Are you kidding me? Wow, can imagine the temptation for a retailer... [ More ]

"Peeking" is scanning unsold cards to determine winners

maringoman — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 18:38:17 GMT

http://www.necn.com/news/business/Massachusetts-Lottery-Audit-Finds-Problem-Areas-280961412.html

The odds of winning are already terrible and with this peeking practice on, I don't think players have any shot at winning at all.