Warning about Lottery Universe

Reply #39

JohnC — Wed, 14 Jul 2004 01:03:17 GMT

Now that you mention it, I do remember Cyberdyne Systems from the Terminator....what a coincidence !!I look forward to achieving the same result

Reply #38

Todd — Tue, 13 Jul 2004 21:12:31 GMT

Yes, as a big movie collector

Reply #37

Lottery_Analyst — Tue, 13 Jul 2004 18:12:45 GMT

Oh My God,If any o

Reply #36

Todd — Tue, 13 Jul 2004 11:39:41 GMT

Nice job John, thanks for the update.

Reply #35

JohnC — Tue, 13 Jul 2004 07:37:56 GMT

Just to keep you all up to date with regard to Lottery Universe.....I just received an email from the Trading Standards Office in Bath, England (which is where Cyberdyne Entertainment, Lottery Universe's English company is based). The contents of this email were as follows: I am the officer who is investigating your complaint concerning Cyberdyne. The purpose of this email is to advise you I have made contact with the company's legal representatives. At this stage I am unable to tell what will... [ More ]

Reply #34

CASH Only — Wed, 30 Jun 2004 00:42:26 GMT

I second that

Reply #33

bobo7703 — Sun, 27 Jun 2004 19:00:01 GMT

man i don't know that good job todd

Reply #32

clementine — Sun, 27 Jun 2004 17:31:00 GMT

Hi Guys,I had wanted to post a reply to your forum but mistakenly created a new one instead.Thanks so much for the info on lottery universe. I just had a scare recently so I am waiting for a reply from them. Good thing is that I never purchased tons of tickets from them.

Reply #31

JohnC — Wed, 23 Jun 2004 01:00:44 GMT

BUYER BEWARE !!!!!So Lottery Universe say that they run a private lottery , huh ?? Have a look at this, which is at the beginning of their Legal Notice section, which can be found under About Us :As an agent, Lottery Universe provides the following services: Lottery Universe Receives order Transmissions from our customers, sends a Confirmation Certificate to each person listing the numbers for all the tickets that will be purchased for each drawing date, fills out each lottery slip by hand, p... [ More ]

Reply #30

Todd — Tue, 22 Jun 2004 21:12:52 GMT

If they (or any of their owners) are in the USA, they are in Big trouble if they're caught.

Reply #29

orangeman — Tue, 22 Jun 2004 20:25:25 GMT

Todd:I emailed Lottery Universe and they confirmed everything you said. They are a privately-run lottery and only pay the first $1 million of any prize. While this is in the fine print of their disclosure, it should be made in regular print to make it more ethical. They don't deny this and are very upfront about the situation. Is this legal? You are right. The fact that they are a private lottery should make it illegal.Orangeman

Reply #28

JohnC — Thu, 17 Jun 2004 13:44:55 GMT

More information on Lottery Universe (from Colin Green, a member of the Avon and Somerset police force): Yes I will be interested in the outcome of your dealings with 'Lottery Universe'if for no other reason at this stage than for intelligence. It is great help in building up a picture of their activities. What I can tell you is that the company appears to be run by USA based residents and I strongly believe that the Bristol base is purely a mail redirect/office service facility having no connec... [ More ]

Reply #27

NNB1980 — Wed, 16 Jun 2004 15:54:43 GMT

Hi John Thank you for the info. I am one those who is willing to e-mail or writ, whatever it takes. I have purchased ticket from them in the past, and did not have a positive experience. Just let me know what do I need to say in my e-mail or letter.

Reply #26

JohnC — Wed, 16 Jun 2004 15:13:05 GMT

As well as the Trading Standards Office, I also sent an email to the Avon and Somerset police (Fraud division). Unfortunately, their hands are tied as there is no legislation covering this type of activity but they have said that they will be pushing the Trading Standards Office to do something about it.I also have one more avenue that I am exploring but I'll tell you about that later when I see what the results are.

Reply #25

JohnC — Wed, 16 Jun 2004 15:09:30 GMT

Progress update (also see next post):As I said in a previous post, I have been exploring ways of dealing with these turkeys. Progress to date is as follows:I contacted the Trading Standards Office in Bristol UK (which is where the parent company appears to be based). They weren't prepared to take any action because your complaint is the only one we've received about this company . Well, I reckon that we could soon fix that if a few of you guys were prepared to email them as well.The company... [ More ]

Reply #24

numbersman — Wed, 16 Jun 2004 10:31:07 GMT

Thank you all, its pays to read the fine print. Wow imagine thinking you had won a big jackpot. You are great on keeping us inform, keep up the great work.

Reply #23

Todd — Wed, 16 Jun 2004 03:04:57 GMT

Nah, I don't think the wire act is the way to go. I think the legal issue is running their own lottery.

Reply #22

orangeman — Wed, 16 Jun 2004 02:04:59 GMT

Todd:The Wire Act of 1961 could be the answer. I sent you a copy as feedback in a separate email link. This act refers to domestic and international lottery crime. Looks like we need to call a lawyer and file a class action suit under this 1961 law.Orangeman

Reply #21

orangeman — Wed, 16 Jun 2004 01:29:57 GMT

Todd:Looks like Lottery Universe is running a private lottery which is illegal in the U.S. That may be why they may be based in the UK. I wonder if the U.S. government couldn't shut them down for an illegal private lottery. It is worth a try.Orangeman

Reply #20

Todd — Wed, 16 Jun 2004 00:45:42 GMT

TC,Thanks for post

Reply #19

Thomas Covenant — Tue, 15 Jun 2004 22:09:56 GMT

Hi Tom,Remember, we are giving you the opportunity to play your numbers as if you were buying the ticket, when in fact we are not. You are placing a bet that your numbers will win. The results are independently verifiable on the state lottery websites so that you feel comfortable with our site, and we pay you for your winnings up to $1,000,000 just as if you had won the lottery if you live in a different state or country. In summary, what we do is allow you to play and verify your numbers agains... [ More ]

Reply #18

Todd — Tue, 15 Jun 2004 22:04:19 GMT

Can you just post it here

Reply #17

Thomas Covenant — Tue, 15 Jun 2004 21:31:27 GMT

I contacted Lottery Universe by email. They don't actually buy lottery tickets. What they said was you place a bet on your numbers. Max win is one million. I'll send anyone a copy of the email if they request it.

Reply #16

Todd — Sun, 13 Jun 2004 02:14:49 GMT

JohnC,Interesting about the Google search. That's good news since people really should be aware of this stuff.I have also tried to let people know the dangers of dealing with as well, because that company doesn't even buy the tickets, even though their Web site indicates that they do! (Actually, my suspicion is that Lottery Universe no longer buys the tickets either.

Reply #15

JohnC — Sat, 12 Jun 2004 23:53:09 GMT

Hi Todd,Is there any way that you can make this post about Lottery Universe permanent?? I only ask because I remember some time back that I was trying to find out about them and couldn't find anything. (As things stand at the moment, your post comes up fourth on Google when the words Lottery Universe are used for a search. Good on you !!I still find it hard to believe that anyone could set up something like this - you can just imagine what it would be like to win a major prize (most probabl... [ More ]

Reply #14

numbersman — Fri, 11 Jun 2004 12:21:32 GMT

Thanks for the info, I will be removing there link from my site.

Reply #13

JohnC — Fri, 11 Jun 2004 01:03:39 GMT

Just to let you guys know, I've lodged a complaint with the British Fair Trading department about these guys (as the parent company SEEMS to be based in Bristol, UK).I'll let you know what happens.

Reply #12

WIN D — Thu, 10 Jun 2004 23:49:31 GMT

Does anyone know about Caribsports.Com? Are they OK ? Looks like they have larger payouts on p3 and p4. Maybe nice to play other states too. No more running to the store as well.

Reply #11

st.germain — Thu, 10 Jun 2004 23:48:27 GMT

As a group,(class action) maybe we can file a lawsuit against them and drive them out of business.

Reply #10

JohnC — Thu, 10 Jun 2004 23:42:39 GMT

Interesting......the link to their terms and conditions is actually http://www.lotteryuniverse.com/atc.aspx and section 15 says just what Todd said it did......amazing !!I also found that i) They no longer offer the Texas Lottery and ii) none of their email links work any more (not that they ever replied when they did).

Reply #9

NNB1980 — Mon, 07 Jun 2004 16:36:46 GMT

Lottery Universe has always seemed kind of shady to me. I purchased once from them but they did not buy the tickets on time so they bought it for the next drawing. I have not dealt with them eversince. I agree with Todd PLAYLOT.COM is the best I have dealt with.

Reply #8

Todd — Mon, 07 Jun 2004 16:01:37 GMT

I personally use the PlayLot.com guys - which is why I put their advertising on the left side of the page. They are definitely the best, most reputable and honest people in the business. And they are very reasonable.

Reply #7

rundown99 — Mon, 07 Jun 2004 15:51:53 GMT

Thanks ToddI'm staying away from those guys!!! It would be better just driving to a different town to play a particular lottery if your state doesn't have it.

Reply #6

Todd — Thu, 03 Jun 2004 03:21:28 GMT

It's not legal for them to sign it if they have already entered into a legal contract with you saying it's yours. I know quite a bit about this subject.

Reply #5

ryanm — Thu, 03 Jun 2004 02:40:32 GMT

It's theirs if they sign the back of it though. Remember a lottery ticket is a bearer instrument.

Reply #4

Todd — Thu, 03 Jun 2004 00:10:41 GMT

I'm not so sure it's legal - it depends who owns the ticket.

Reply #3

DoctorEw220 — Wed, 02 Jun 2004 22:46:10 GMT

the sad thing is that they can legally do that since they are the ones actually purchasing the tickets.

Reply #2

twisted — Wed, 02 Jun 2004 22:39:44 GMT

What a rip off. Thanks Todd for the warning. I have always used Niles International and have no reason to try any other service online such as LotteryUniverse.

Reply #1

Lottery_Analyst — Wed, 02 Jun 2004 20:30:44 GMT

Thanks Todd.....WOW that really stinks. I am shocked that anyone actually purchases a subscription from them.Thanks for the keen attention to detail Todd....JohnLA

Warning about Lottery Universe

Todd — Wed, 02 Jun 2004 18:12:42 GMT

If you are ever considering using Lottery Universe, don't say I didn't warn you.Let's say you get lucky and win the big $100 million Mega Millions or Powerball prize. Section 15 of their terms and conditions states:Maximum payout at Lottery Universe is $1,000,000.Shockingly, you would only receive the first $1 million of the prize, and they would keep the rest!You can see the full terms and conditions here: http://www.lotteryuniverse.com/atc.html