Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich answers your questions

Reply #107

LiveInGreenBay — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 22:03:03 GMT

RNG's are around to stay? ....... Any high school geek can hack a COMPUTER PROGRAM! How in the world can you guarantee us the games are safe? I'll take a mechanical system over a computer system any day

Reply #106

JoeCanWin — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 04:20:59 GMT

Sadly, I agree, although I'm glad Todd kept the door open, who knows what the future holds. Maybe Ball drawings will return despite what Mr. Rich said. I just signed the petition for that.

Reply #105

JoeCanWin — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 01:25:32 GMT

Yup, that's why I said it is just like another big business. Also, yes, I know it can't be perfect, but looking at the track record for computers, a little human intervention shown at the end process (when the drawings take place) would go a long ways in easing sceptical minds.

I won't get into it here but I wrote a long winded semi-rant in response to the idea of Keno being started in CT a couple years ago on here, if you can find it you will understand why I don't trust those games. I haven... [ More ]

Reply #104

mypiemaster — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 00:30:20 GMT

NOTHING IN LIFE IS PERFECT. RNG is not for players but for the lottery to save on operating costs and to make money. So far as they are making money, they don't care and will not tell you how often they got hacked. It's all about money.

Reply #103

JoeCanWin — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 22:03:14 GMT

Right, I think I said that I suspected it was easier (and I'm sure more convenient) for the lotteries to use computerized drawings. I'm not sure it is cheaper though. I also don't think it is safer, but since when has public safety or public opinion gotten in the way of a big business? Which I'm kind of sure includes lotteries.

Let's look at it from another angle. Say the most important and expensive item you buy is a house, you want to make sure the transaction is secure with your bank and a... [ More ]

Reply #102

headcrack — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 20:32:14 GMT

hey joe. from what i have gathered its easier to use computerized drawings, because one company runs or oversees multiple states. it would take all day and alot of money to program one machine or have one machine per state... my guess maybe someone can confirm it for us..

Reply #101

JoeCanWin — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 17:13:14 GMT

One of the things I forgot to mention above is that by using computer drawings, and of course real people have to program them and monitor them and safeguard them.

Also, someone could accidentally cause a problem by running a buggy program and never know it. These things happen. People blindly/unknowingly cause problems everyday with products, and computers and their programs are no exception. Not sure if anyone will do this but a 1957 movie titled The Invisible Boy is a really good movie abo... [ More ]

Reply #100

JoeCanWin — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 16:15:42 GMT

Hello all LP members,

*Sigh* It is too bad and someone made an excellent point in the form of a question. Something like, Are the RNG's (computerized drawings) for the benefit of the lottery staff, or for the benefit of the players? Yes, I thought the whole idea was for player enjoyment.

It seems that Mr. Rich made that sort of clear in one answer where he claims RNG's are here to stay. The problem is that almost everyone that actually PLAYS the lottery would feel more secure seeing b... [ More ]

Reply #99

headcrack — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:16:59 GMT

interesting info . thanks todd and mr rich for doing this... it seemed that some members took there time to express anger and put the detective light on mr rich.

todd if you speak to mr rich or maybe you know the answer. does multistate drawings use the same source (rng) for quick picks and selecting the winning number for a selected game.

there should have been more questions on the tracking stats etc..

thank you todd and mr rich..

Reply #98

JezzVim — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 06:20:13 GMT

People are too greedy, the system can have all the safeguards it can, but when you have greedy people and a boat load of money they can get they will spend all their waking hours on how to get their hands on that money. Every man and woman has a price. The people that write the code can put in a back door to use later, who is going to go behind that person to check for it? And can you trust the person that is double checking?

So the odds that the player has against winning is a fairytale if

Reply #97

gavin256 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 04:13:06 GMT

Thank you Mr. Rich for taking your time tonight to answer some questions. I have a question that wasn't asked. Whenever there is a breach in security in a game and an investigation does take place, and lottery employee(s) are terminated and prosecuted, is the general public notified about these things? I understand that everyone is going to be upset about spending all that money on lotto tickets when the game was rigged by tipton and the jackpot was $15 Million but, even for lower amounts being... [ More ]

Reply #96

lotterybraker — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 04:04:08 GMT

Yeah I am sorry I missed it...I had planned to be here to ask a question and I missed a golden opportunity tonight...I got here in time to read all the other questions..

Looks like most were personal feelings about how bad RNG's are and security concerns...HOPEFULLY he will stop back by again ....

Reply #95

haymaker — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 03:30:25 GMT

Yes he does sound like a straight-shooter. he also sounded like he was defending RNG the best he could.

I guess he has to do that.

I believe the only way we'll get rid of RNG is to vote our wallets and not play,

admit that would be hard to do if I lived in one of those D grade states.

But you know...$ talks...

Anyway thanks for being at the forefront of this RNG stuff

I'm sure many casual players know zero about it.

Reply #94

Todd — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 03:14:21 GMT

Ha! I do it all the time myself. That's part of the fun

Reply #93

cbr$ — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 03:12:18 GMT

Nice , discussion Todd. Glad you leave a welcome mat out so he answers some of Questions he couldn't get around to on a later date. I have to agree with one person half the fun of a live draw is really yelling out the numbers before they come out

Reply #92

Todd — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 03:10:42 GMT

Understood about your feelings on this, but I can tell you from my interactions with Terry he really is a straight-shooter. Believe me when I say that Terry and ALL the state lotteries definitely understand our feelings about computerized drawings.

Reply #91

CajunWin4 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:58:43 GMT

Unfortunately , It's not just individual employees of State Lotteries we must worry about rigging RNG drawn (Computer Draw ) games . The States them selves could be possibly rigging the games in there States games .

Reply #90

MzDuffleBaglady — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:54:41 GMT

Reply #89

chrissy16 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:48:36 GMT

Smells of a PR campaign if you ask me. Most members here are anti-RNG, he must not have seen the petitions page. RNG for the foreseeable future in Iowa. Did I miss anything

Reply #88

mpage512 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:27:56 GMT

Thank you

Reply #87

twf1985 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:18:44 GMT

Hello and welcome! Couple of questions for you..

Can you share with us what additional measures have been put in place to prevent future fraud? Throwing away everything Tipton touched is a good start, but I would hope that more is being done. You may not be able to share publicly the exact strategies you're using, but I think the community would feel better if they knew that you were, for example, increasing random testing like polygraphs. Brain wave scanning is also a very intriguing concept... [ More ]

Reply #86

grwurston — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:10:04 GMT

Hopefully we can do it again sometime. Thanks Todd for setting this up.

Reply #85

lakerben — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:04:33 GMT

I didnt get my question answered.

Reply #84

RL-RANDOMLOGIC — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:03:34 GMT

It's 8:04pm here, I guess I should have checked the time zone.

RL

Reply #83

jarasan — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:03:11 GMT

Ditto on that! Thank You

Reply #82

Todd — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:03:05 GMT

We're going to wrap up our Q A session with Terry Rich. The time flew by quicker than I can believe.

I would like to extend a heart-felt thanks to Terry for devoting the past hour to Lottery Post members and visitors. Your commitment and respect to lottery players could not be clearer!

Terry, any time you want to post something at Lottery Post you are more than welcome, whether it's answering a question, offering an opinion, addressing a concern, or just to shoot the breeze. If at some poi... [ More ]

Reply #81

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:02:45 GMT

This long-running investigation has shown us a lot about what someone may try to do in an attempt to gain a lottery prize. We've learned so much through the process and put in place greater separation of duties, additional layers of security and new equipment. We pledge to continue to protect against vulnerabilities identified as part of our ongoing efforts to safeguard the integrity of lottery games.

It's our responsibility as lotteries to offer games and prizes with systems and procedures b... [ More ]

Reply #80

duckman — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:02:30 GMT

Thanks Terry for your time...and thanks Todd for arranging this

Reply #79

lakerben — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:02:04 GMT

Besides huge jackpots the lotto could get new players by increasing the smaller prizes. The pb power play was $12 on Saturday. Increasing that to 25 or 30 dollars would be better. Many times the winning barely cover what was bet. No profit. Can you communicate this to the MUSL

Reply #78

DG1USA — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:00:20 GMT

Thank you Mr. Rich and Chief. Stay well

Reply #77

DCTreybil — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:59:02 GMT

Thanks for being here tonight

Reply #76

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:58:17 GMT

We're down to the last couple questions here. Thank you for playing the lottery. We anticipate that RNGs are around to stay. We hope that by being as transparent as we have been throughout the investigation and with the proper oversight, we can gain your confidence that the games are safe. That's our responsibility and our job and it's something we take seriously.

Reply #75

fast eddie — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:58:03 GMT

do you think players can use systems to gain an advantage when picking pick three and pick four numbers? or is it all random and are we just wasting our time? I think system players dislike RNG because the feel they do not have any edge like they do with ping pong balls all be it slight.

Reply #74

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:55:43 GMT

Um, no.

Reply #73

Candy-Lane — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:55:08 GMT

Mr Rich,

I do not see where you have answered my question. I realise that you are being bombarded with a lot of questions all at once.

I will wait patiently for your reply.

Thank-you

Reply #72

rcbbuckeye — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:54:52 GMT

Good evening Terry. Thanks for being with us tonight.

Do you ever see Mega millions and Powerball merging into one national lottery

Reply #71

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:54:15 GMT

Hi, SQL-MAN. We appreciate your question, but this is one that we really can't comment on due to the ongoing investigation. We believe that the details of his background and the work that he did at the Multi-State Lottery Association will come up during his next trial, which is scheduled for July.

Reply #70

Ron5995 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:52:00 GMT

Is RNG computer source code and detailed hardware specifications available to the public

Reply #69

music* — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:51:52 GMT

Terry Rich, Thank You for answering our questions even if they were not about security.

Reply #68

mypiemaster — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:51:40 GMT

I want to congratulate you and Chief Todd Northrop for doing a fantastic job. Much success in the future to both of you. Have a great year!!!.

Reply #67

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:51:08 GMT

That does it! I'm yelling at the drawing equipment from now on! Your description is great! Seriously, many drawings aren't televised because there are so many of them. This forum shows the likes and dislikes of different types of draws, and we appreciate that input. It's important to know that those of us who administer lotteries are committed to having games that are fair, regardless of how they are drawn. And we hope the games are still fun and you can still do lots of yelling.

Reply #66

Wendy G — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:50:16 GMT

Good evening,

What is the probability of this ever happening again and most importantly are there measures put

in place so this does not happen in any more states

Reply #65

Dee88 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:49:36 GMT

Why do some states let you see the pre test results and other states do not...

Reply #64

sonnet — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:47:43 GMT

Mr. Rich,

To follow-up on my previous concern about RNGs, is the cost savings for using them worth losing the public trust, when the system is rigged? Third follow-up question what made your officials first suspect EddieTipton? The fox guarding the hen-house, so to speak? Did he suddenly start flashing some bling?

~s

Reply #63

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:47:36 GMT

The odds are the same for every ticket sold, no matter where you live, where the ticket was purchased or how the play was made, meaning easy pick vs. picking your own numbers. It is true that there are more people playing in states with larger populations, but that's simply because more people live there. It doesn't mean they're luckier. Small, large, urban, rural, it all averages out over time. Here in Iowa, we're a small state within the Powerball system, but we're actually ahead of the curve... [ More ]

Reply #62

mypiemaster — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:47:18 GMT

Chief Todd Northrop has been very instrumental in educating the masses worldwide, about the intricasies and complexities involved with the lottery. How much attention do you guys pay to USAMEGA/LOTTERYPOST?. If not why not? You guys should have somebody devoted to surfing USAMEGA/LOTTERYPOST at least one hour a day. It is that important.

Reply #61

grwurston — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:46:31 GMT

You said ball drawings have been compromised. Other than a machine malfunction where the balls go flying into the air, how is that possible. Can you elaborate? Also, is that why the lotteries have so many pretests before the actual draws

Reply #60

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:45:01 GMT

Whew! Can't believe we're 40 minutes in! This has gone fast! I think the long-running lottery jackpot investigation shows why it is important for lottery winners' information to be made public. Iowa law has always required release of lottery winners' information. To our understanding, lawmakers put that requirement in place as a security mechanism designed to ensure that real people -- and not lottery insiders -- were winning lottery prizes. We think the system has functioned well and we do our... [ More ]

Reply #59

minnie mickey — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:42:54 GMT

Hi Terry how are u , Do u think one day multi- states can start playing online p3 and p4

have u ever talk about it

Reply #58

HoLeeKau — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:42:16 GMT

Hi Mr Rich. I want to know if each state lottery is required to have x number of dollars on hand to pay million dollar prizes won in their state from Megamillions and/or Powerball. If so, how much is required? If not, how much does your state keep on hand. We're all curious at what point does the second prize go paramutuel.

Reply #57

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:40:55 GMT

We've followed Lottery Post for a long time now. It's fun to see the conversations and excitement that people have here. We have a social media staff who do a good job of staying on top of posts and updates. The All or Nothing game replaced Iowa's $100,000 Cash Game and we don't have plans at this time to bring back a cash 5 game. But we always appreciate input and will keep your comment in mind. And I really mean it.

Reply #56

gracielott — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:40:52 GMT

I have been playing the lottery for 30+ years. While I do not post, I do come to LotteryPost for info on the lottery, results, and to read the forums. The Q A with you did peak my interest enough to login and ask a few questions directly. Can you encourage other lottery officials or directors to do the same as you did here on LotteryPost? Keeping things transparent is the first step to repair the trust with the public.

Reply #55

rena201 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:40:10 GMT

Hello Mr. Rich

I play NC lottery , i want to know does the lottery have a certain amount it is going to pay out each draw and if so is that why my number always appear in the pre draws.

and if so are the particular day in which it pays out more than other days.

Reply #54

music* — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:38:33 GMT

Who guards the guard as the Ancient Romans said.

Reply #53

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:38:16 GMT

The Powerball drawing has been held at special events all around the country through the years, including state fairs, festivals and rodeos. It takes an incredible amount of security and equipment to move the drawing to another location. Wednesday night's drawing will occur at the Powerball drawing studio in Florida. Can't wait to see if there is a winner

Reply #52

JADELottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:37:30 GMT

It's clear that transparency is not so easy with Computer Generated Numbers.

Given the virtual nature of the Computer Generated Numbers, what can be done to gain the trust of your lottery customers

Reply #51

dkwillis2000 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:36:11 GMT

Please explain random number generators. NC has an All or Nothing game. You select 12 numbers out of 24. Nearly every draw is six off or six even numbers. Hardly seems random.

Thank you for being with us tonight.

Reply #50

SQL-MAN — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:35:49 GMT

Was Eddie Raymond Tipton a former computer programmer? Is it a common practice to hire computer programmers to oversee lottery operations

Reply #49

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:35:22 GMT

I understand your concern. There have been instances, however, where both ball-drawing equipment and RNGs have been compromised. The critical issue, as you have referenced, is having the security and integrity measures in place to protect against wrong-doing. Someone will always be trying to beat the system, and lotteries constantly have to make improvements to guard against that. The breach of trust in the lottery jackpot investigation stems from the actions of those who apparently were willing... [ More ]

Reply #48

sonnet — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:33:40 GMT

Hello Mr. Rich,

Even if RNGs and ball-drawing equipment have their vulnerabilites, as you've noted, the ball-drawing machines offer the player a modicum of interaction by watching each ball dribbling out of the chute, anticipating the next ball, then talking to the machine to display their desired number and utimately shouting out the next number, even if that ball was different; and the players ticket did not match. This is much more fun than computer generated digits that simply flash numb... [ More ]

Reply #47

erdie — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:33:34 GMT

Hi Terry, thank you for taking the time out to answer our questions, I would like to know is it true that the larger states have a better change a hitting the jackpot than the smaller state, or middle class area versus low income areas, I understand that the larger amount put out the better your chances are, if this is the case then why should the smaller states, middle income areas or low income areas waste their money playing, what do you think, does everyone really have a fair chance of hitti... [ More ]

Reply #46

realtorjim — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:32:47 GMT

Though I, and many other LP'ers, understand the savings involved with utilization of RNG's, there is also a wide understanding of programming. Parameters must be manually manipulated to simulate randomness. Thus the ability of the Tipton case to exist. With use of RNG's this will always be an ability and predominant concern; though unlikely, still a possibility. If the use of halogen lottery machines dramatically increases trust in the lottery amalgamation, albeit at a proportionately slight inc... [ More ]

Reply #45

JAP69 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:32:46 GMT

With hackers getting into secure computer equipment how can you satisfy the public on their fear of further tampering of computerized drawings? Always reading in the news of some system including government being hacked into. Even if it could be done by radio signals.

Reply #44

JADELottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:31:30 GMT

What's been done to improve security

Reply #43

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:29:45 GMT

In most states, lottery staff are not allowed to play lottery games within their own states. They usually can play the lottery in other states. The laws of the particular state where they live and work only apply to that state.

Reply #42

Candy-Lane — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:29:19 GMT

Good evening Mr Rich,

Before finding out about the scandal, I used to play Hot Lotto (with the sizzler) twice a week, every week. I won't reveal how much I was spending. I will just say it was a lot!

I feel extremely let down and cheated.

What are The Lottery Officials doing to re-gain public trust?

Have the stopped using computerized drawings yet?

Thank-you

Reply #41

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:28:11 GMT

Our lottery shared numbers with Illinois for a number of years as a convenience. However, over time, players expressed that they wanted our lottery to have its own numbers, and we took steps to accomplish that. Our players here really seem to like and appreciate the change.

Reply #40

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:26:24 GMT

I think you're asking whether there would ever be a lottery prize of $2 billion or more. There was a time when we couldn't have imagined a lottery prize as big as the Powerball jackpot is now. But things are functioning well with that game, and a lot of people are having fun dreaming about what they would do with the money. The odds say maybe, but not a huge chance...

Reply #39

fast eddie — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:25:45 GMT

What ideas do you have as to ways to make the younger generation interested in playing the lottery more

Reply #38

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:24:26 GMT

I assume you are referring to lottery purchases being offered by government-authorized lotteries via the Internet? In that instance, it's a matter of social acceptance and political palatability. It's a decision that will be made on a state-by-state basis. We don't currently offer Internet sales here in Iowa, although the lottery is authorized to do so. I believe decisions like that are up to elected officials to decide, with input from the public.

Reply #37

mypiemaster — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:23:31 GMT

When the lottery does not award a jackpot for whatever reason, like in the Tipton case, shouldn't that jackpot be fully awarded to a second winner, if there are more that one winner, or simply added to the next jackpot amount, instead of telling us that it is going towards education, which nobody believes anyway?.

Reply #36

anddor — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:22:39 GMT

Hello Mr. Rich,

What are your thoughts on this.

I recently bought a program for $60.00

It shows how to win on the play 3 4 games.

They way he explains it sounds pretty involved.

I'm still preceding with it but at this point, 1-month later, I cannot see the results he is talking about.

He does sound sincere.

Thanks for your response.

Reply #35

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:21:10 GMT

Here's an analogy to consider: If one person is the victim of credit card fraud, should all credit cards be thrown away and/or outlawed? Any equipment that Eddie Tipton programmed or built or even accessed is no longer in use here in Iowa. That is an important consideration for those concerned about game integrity. In addition, we have done our best to be transparent about what has occurred and to address the changes that have been made. If anything, this case is shining a valuable spotlight on... [ More ]

Reply #34

Ron5995 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:20:22 GMT

Why do many state lotteries have relatively low ~50% prize payout for numbers games?

Most numbers games I've come across top out around 55%-58%, such as PA Treasure Hunt and regional game Cash4Life, with the exception of Wyoming Lottery Cowboy Draw, which has a 68% prize payout - highest I've ever seen for any lottery numbers game.

In contrast, instant tickets typically payout 60%-75%+ and sell very well. Higher paying numbers games, presumably, would too.

Reply #33

DG1USA — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:20:13 GMT

Do you think there is a way to have winners scrutinized by lottery officials for authenicity and at the same time keep the winners names anonymous from the public

Reply #32

maximumfun — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:19:23 GMT

Mr. Rich - what checks and balances are you putting in place to make sure that no one again has such unsupervised access to be able to breach the lottery securities

Reply #31

lottoburg — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:19:07 GMT

Hi, Terry:

Welcome to our Club!

My question is which pick up of the Jackpot should be the best if I got a JP

for any lotto game? Why?

As you know there are two Jackpot Prize Payment Options:

as an annuity or cash payment in the bog lotto games.

Happy New Year to you and your family,

lottoburg

Reply #30

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:17:53 GMT

Those ideals are absolutely important to the Iowa Lottery. It's our job to stay one step ahead of those who would attempt to break the law. We can't speak for other lotteries, but here, we think it's important that we provide for separation of duties and functions within our organization; maintain multiple layers of security; publicly release the names of winners; and work closely with law enforcement if and or when any concerns are identified.

Reply #29

cbr$ — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:17:47 GMT

Good Evening, Mr Rich. I have two questions. [1] Does Iowa have any plans to give compensation to it lottery players in the exact amount of loss winning as the rigged games in question? [2] Why did the Lottery choose to ignore the warnings on more then one occasion this could happen, to the point you now need to earn regain your lottery players trust again

Reply #28

D-Stev81 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:17:12 GMT

Mr. Rich,

Is it true that Tipton is out of jail? If so, why? Wasn't he sentenced to 10 years

Reply #27

gracielott — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:15:00 GMT

Would you being the CEO be able to make the change then(to ball drawings) in Iowa? How would that work? Would the public receive advance notice or would you just convert to ball drawings

Reply #26

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:14:27 GMT

From the earliest contact that the Iowa Lottery received regarding the Hot Lotto jackpot that was won with a ticket purchased in Des Moines in December 2010, it was obvious that there was something amiss. The further contacts that the lottery had with those attempting to claim the prize only made that more obvious. We asked for a law enforcement investigation to begin before the claim to the prize was even withdrawn in January 2012. You have seen what has happened since and we continue to urge i... [ More ]

Reply #25

Kyle7824 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:13:45 GMT

Are you the luckiest person ever to be Mr. Rich and head of a lottery? Sorry ... Just find it ammusing your name is Mr. Rich and your occupation..

Reply #24

mypiemaster — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:13:39 GMT

PLAYER SAFETY!!!. Why are the lotteries still broadcasting winners info regardless of risk. Shouldn't MUSL and other lotteries give the player the option of anonymity? They investigate the winners anyway, so what's the the justification in publishing winners info. The lottery does not need winners per se for publicity. Just look at what PB is doing this week.

Reply #23

needinghelp — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:13:22 GMT

Hello Mr. Rich,

Welcome, How did you hear about Lottery Post? Do you have a social media department dedicated to monitoring player strategies? Will the $100,000 cash game comeback or another Cash 5 type game? Thanks.

Reply #22

music* — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:13:15 GMT

Do you know if this Power Ball draw will be held somewhere special? When I win it I intend to only play ball draws no computerized ones. Thank You Terry

Reply #21

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:11:03 GMT

RNGs and ball-drawing equipment each have their own vulnerabilities that can be compromised. No system is perfect. RNG machines are easier to maintain and if properly utilized, can provide results that are equally as secure.

Reply #20

grwurston — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:10:44 GMT

Hi Terry,

This has not been the first problem with computer draws (see Tennessee.) Even though every time a computer system gets hacked, whether credit cards, banks, hospital etc. there is always the promise of better security and the promise that everything will be done to prevent it from happening again. But it always does. That being said, why don't the states all go back back to mechanical draws? NOBODY here on LP trusts computer draws. If they want to maintain the integrity of the game i... [ More ]

Reply #19

ChinaDoll — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:10:44 GMT

Terry if you work at the lottery office in all states are the staff allowed to play lottery

Reply #18

Coin Toss — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:09:20 GMT

Why was Iowa using Illinois' Pick 3 and Pick 4 numbers? That stopped some time ago but I was always curious.

Reply #17

therams32 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:08:17 GMT

Do you think the lottery ever when up 2 a billion dollars

Reply #16

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:08:12 GMT

For a multi-state game, all of the lotteries in that game make the decision together. If it is an in-state game, that lottery makes the decisions and rules regarding its own particular game.

Reply #15

neurosleep — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:07:06 GMT

Terry , what are your thoughts on playing the lottery online

Reply #14

ChinaDoll — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:07:05 GMT

Welcome Terry Rich

Reply #13

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:06:35 GMT

We do have a Pick 4 game in Iowa and it has grown through the years. I can't speak to what may be occurring with a game in another state, but I'm sure if you would contact that lottery, folks there would be happy to help you. If you're ever in Iowa, you're welcome to play our Pick 4 game.

Reply #12

Stone23 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:06:24 GMT

Well Terry I guess as a regular lotto player my concern is what is being done to insure the integrity of the games we play are not manipulated again ever. I think this opens the door to question all games including pick 3 and pick 4 games that a majority of players play pretty regularly.

Reply #11

duckman — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:05:46 GMT

Hi Terry!

I have heard from other state lotteries that two cornerstone ideals of a lottery are (1) to maintain the public trust in the lottery and (2) for winning tickets, ensure that payment goes to the legitimate ticket owner. From recent news events involving the Eddie Tipton case, it seems those ideals are also important to the Iowa Lottery. What additional things can lotteries do to ensure the integrity of the games and maintain the public trust? Are there any law or legislative chang... [ More ]

Reply #10

realtorjim — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:05:24 GMT

Thanks for being here. Respective of the Tipton case, what prompted inquiry? Was it actually a breach recognition within the system, or a personal reference

Reply #9

mypiemaster — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:04:42 GMT

Good evening Mr Rich and The Chief. Congrats on the Tipton case. Why are the lotteries still using RNG?.

Reply #8

Iowa Lottery — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:04:34 GMT

Is Mary writing this? :) Seriously though, she does work at our lottery and does a great job.