PHOENIX — The head of the Arizona Lottery says he's not embarrassed that his department overlooked a potentially costly failure of its computerized drawings.
Over a six-day period starting Sept. 28, lottery machines spit out the same numbers in consecutive games.
(See Arizona Lottery computerized drawing machine generated identical winning numbers, Lottery Post, Oct. 6, 2017.)
The Lottery is now offering refunds or exchanges for anyone who played the Pick 3, Fantasy 5, All or Nothing, and 5 Card Cash from Sept. 28 through Oct 3.
The total sale during that time, including winning tickets, is $575,000, according to lottery officials.
The glitch, however, was discovered by an observant player while it was overlooked by officials with the Arizona Lottery.
Asked if he was embarrassed about missing the glitch, Gregg Edgar, the executive director for the Arizona Lottery, said he wasn't.
"What I'll tell you, our players are extremely intelligent people and they know what they're doing when they play these games," he said.
The malfunctioning machine is now undergoing a forensic audit.
It is still unknown what caused the error, which took place amidst new allegations that the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) knew of similar computerized drawing issues in the past, and did not publicly disclose the problems.
(See Lottery rigger warned officials about computerized drawing machines years ago, Lottery Post, Oct. 15, 2017.)
Since the discovery, Edgar said his team has taken precautions to make sure they catch similar errors in the future.
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"team has taken precautions to make sure they catch similar errors in the future".
Kinda like locking the barn door after the horse gets away.
And he says they want to catch similar errors in the future? That's reassuring. So they expect more errors in their RNG in the future?
The only take away we get from this is, it appears they are desperately trying to avoid the demon that lurks within computer generated numbers.
We have our own take as to why this happened, however, it's just speculation.
In the meantime, as long as this problem is not seriously addressed, it will happen again.
Like all things these days, it will be handled by alleviating the symptoms.
At this point, word marking are the words of the day.
Everyone should Watch for it and Profit from it.
Good Luck.
"What I'll tell you, our players are extremely intelligent people and they know what they're doing when they play these games"
You see, this is what they do...compliment the victims to try and disarm their anger.
It's all psychological !
Exactly. Seems to me if they wanted to really solve the problem they would switch back to real lottery drawings and punt the computers. People act as if it would be an enormous undertaking, but Indiana did it, and got a lot of positive press from it. Ball drawings are a nightly event that give the lottery an opportunity to market directly to its players base. They inspire trust and confidence.
Not surprised AZ Lottery is going on as usual. However, I'm a bit surprised that the AZ Lottery director has such a lackadaisical attitude regarding the situation. As if it's no big deal, RNG glitches happen. Not reassuring at all.
One would have thought with the Hot Lotto scandal that lotteries would be switching away from RNG, but most aren't. I believe it's for two main reasons:
What makes matters worse is most lotteries, by and large, oversee themselves. In contrast, big name physical casinos, in particular, outside of Indian reservations, are overseen by somewhat independent regulators. That makes a difference. Sure, abuses can happen, but the bar is higher and there's a dispute process for players. In short, the lottery is often its own regulator. That's a recipe for abuse along with lack of care in protecting players.
Lotteries rely in large part on ignorance. Regardless of one's education level, background, etc, most players seemingly know little about how the lottery works, the games, etc. Unlike with casinos, there's often nowhere for a concerned player to turn other the lottery itself, which often won't answer most questions with any real detail; one is left wondering.
Lotteries often explain in some detail how ball machine draws work. Yet, RNG is clouded in mystery. Does any U.S. lottery disclose in detail how its RNG machines work? And publish the source code? Not aware of any that do. Without seeing the details, one should assume RNG is potentially rigged and wager accordingly.
The glitch, however, was discovered by an observant player while it was overlooked by officials with the Arizona Lottery.
But he isnt embarrassed by this? Shame on him.
Edgar was never going to apologize, to do so would be admitting guilt, making him look weak. Notice how he deflected the question, and came out with " our players are extremely intelligent "
l looked up Edgar, and what do you know. He is the founder of Edgar Strategic Communications- a PR firm. If the press thinks they will " corner" Edgar with questions, they have a thing or two to learn. Edgar is soaked in the deflecting game.
"What I'll tell you, our players are extremely intelligent people and they know what they're doing when they play these games," he said.
I wonder if Edgar's "extremely intelligent people" will figure out the problem with "the malfunctioning machine undergoing a forensic audit." is the same RNG program he is using in his other machines?
I think people in AZ need to start exploiting these errors. The director did not even give the standard go to answer "we are taking steps to make certain this does not happen again."
"What I'll tell you, our players are extremely intelligent people and they know what they're doing when they play these games," he said.
He's right. We are intelligent. But that is also not an answer. It's pandering, and I find it insulting.
The malfunctioning machine is now undergoing a forensic audit.
I hope it's audited by an independent third party and not the contractors who set up the system in the first place. That would be like sending the fox in to inspect the hen house.
Of people were strong enough like me they would stop being scammers like Tennessee,If people lived here they would see how depressing it is.Cant win grocery money in this state.
IF
I posted this earlier as a response in another thread but it applies here too.
Here is a comment from the Md lottery website. Note the contradictions. Games of chance, the House will always win, virtually impossible to "rig" a drawing.
Question- If it's a game of chance and it's virtually impossible to rig, then why does the house always win?
Answer- Because it's rigged in the house's favor.
Note the hi-lited comments.
mdlottery mike • 7 years ago
mike: Thank you for your message. Please understand that lotteries are games of chance – or luck. A player can play the same number once or every day for 20 years and they have the same chance of winning a prize.
It truly is a gamble. Just as with any gambling establishment, the “house” will always win and it is no different with the Maryland Lottery. The Maryland Lottery is a state agency and the bulk of its proceeds go right back to citizens – just last year the Lottery contributed paid $1.03 billion dollars in prizes to players and $510.6 million dollars to state-funded programs. Click HERE to see a breakdown of Maryland Lottery revenue.
Also, the Maryland Lottery is a regulated state agency that is held to the highest standards. All Lottery drawings are audited on a regular basis by independent companies and it would be virtually impossible to “rig” or predetermine a drawing.
The glitch, however, was discovered by an observant player while it was overlooked by officials with the Arizona Lottery.
And did people lose their jobs?, where were the people running the daily audits and pre-test drawings. what the hell were they doing? Almost EVERY glitch ever caught has been reported by players. I have read that over and over again..
as said earler...
Hello! use balls! no longer a problem for such malfunctions...you brain damaged bunch of retards...
Reminds me of NASA spending multi-multi-thousands of dollars to create a pen that would write in space.... the Russians used a pencil. duh!
He doesn't have any balls to address the issue; no wonder he favors RNG. Time to go to a fast food place and keep that weight on. It's a shame that the Feds don't investigate RNG/computer glitches.
They knew from the second drawing with players calling and emailing them about it. They only did something when it effected other states. Arizona doesn't conduct it's own drawings. It's all done by Third party. which upon Arizona residents realize it will revolt due to the law saying it must be held here not in another state.
Out of curiosity, where in the ARS does it state it has to be held in AZ? I would be very surprised if it wasn't vetted through the AG's office first.
Speaking of balls, (pardon the pun), I just noticed that the number 34 hasn't come up in PowerBall numbers in over a year. And also the PB number 14 hasn't been pulled in over a year. Due? If I am wrong, I do apologize.
5 will get you 10, he's a democrat. That being the reason he's not embarrassed.
The only way this is going to change is through the players.
Check this out M... ....Source " Linkedin"
Administrative Director - Committee on Arrangements Committee Week
Republican National Committee - 2008 Republican National Convention
In 2008, I served as the Committee on Arrangements'​ Administrative Director for events at the Minneapolis Convention Center. In that capacity, I managed the physical coordination of the Republican Party’s Platform, Rules and Credential Committees. My team facilitated the distribution of the convention credentials and the transportation department’s vehicles.
Staff Lead
White House Office of Advance
From 2001-2009, I routinely served as the lead advance representative for President George W. Bush on foreign and domestic trips. In that role, I was directly responsible for all movements and interactions of the President. I worked closely with White House Staff to develop events and communication opportunities to deliver the President’s message for that trip.
That is part of Edgar's resume...You welcome.
Just because something is online does not make it true. That 2nd part of his resume is overhyped and the secret service would tell you they supervise the movements of the president. I think he was a glorified conference and logistical planner. He scheduled meetings. He sounds like a loose cannon. And for "that trip" meaning a one time thing? Lol I think the Republicans kicked him to the curb.
Press release says he was cfo of his own pr firm in Phoenix for 20 years.
Seems pointless to focus on the credentials of the AZ Lottery director. Party affiliation and all that is even more silly. Of course he's PR driven. Most executive directors are; mouthpiece of the agency. Much of the decision making is coming from elsewhere, in particular, lottery consultants and vendors that perform much of the day to day operations of the lottery.
Players aren't going to effect much, if any change, barring some organized actions (protests, boycotts, etc) that potentially endanger sales. Sure, awareness is a good first step, and LP and other venues, help in that regard.
Legislation requiring ball draws could be effective. Though, that's a steep hill to climb due to gaming lobbyists, backed by lots of cash, who seemingly prefer RNG.
However, a way that concerned citizens could drive change would be pressing lotteries to release details of RNG machines and source code. There have been so many instances of faulty RNG machines and programming. Presumably, the industry doesn't want too much revealed. Hence, given enough public pressure along with FOIAs (freedom of information act) requests throughout the country, many more lotteries would likely relent and switch to ball drawings.
Yep, keep this up.This subtle persuasion may have us all convinced, that Richard Nixon was a Democrat!
I agree but a certain member repeatedly tries to start political based arguments. The Director's repub credentials did not qualify him for the job anyway but his private pr practice and cfo experience likely did.
Not embarrassed, huh, must be Sontaran.
The resemblance is remarkable.
Tonight on Doctor Who, the Sontaran fleet try to take over world by embedding an operative at the Arizona Lottery.
Watch the Doctor hit the jackpot as he uncovers the plot undermine world gaming systems by cashing in on duped players and combinations.
J.K.
Maddog was the one who mentioned Edgar being a Democrat. I was merely " correcting" him. There is zero mention of Edgar doing any political work for or with Democrats. So there...
Ah, yes, Next Gen.
That was the Samaritan Snare.
They are the Pakled.
We all know your political agenda in the forums and no one disproved what Maddog surmised. People claim allegiances to all sorts of things to get jobs. The fact that the Director left this experience off the press release speaks volumes.
So it is true. I mean, when a sentence starts with " we all know", it tells me that l am engaging with an all wise & powerful personage. Knowing all the thoughts of people is truly mind melting. Bye!
Agreed. PR and CFO experience, absolutely. Sad to see another thread regarding a serious topic verge off course. Though, is instructive of the limitations forums, social media, etc have for effecting real change. It's no wonder many lotteries stick with RNG. What organized group is challenging them. None I'm aware of.
To be fair, LP is entertainment only for many. Hoping to find a way to beat the lottery, which they won't - barring finding a flaw in a game that can be exploited and/or access to insider information.
All the while, lotteries are exploiting players in many underhanded ways (ie. instant ticket prize seeding, winners remaining lists, etc; ie. para-mutuel games, in particular, California MM & PB that overly allocate to lower tier prizes) that aren't widely discussed; most have no idea. RNG issues is just the tip of the iceberg.
Wow, thanks Noise-Gate. sure fooled me. I'd have to apologize to Edgar on that.
Yes it was I who surmised he was a democrat, and I stand corrected thanks to noise-gate.
Thank you. I appreciate this info. Noise-Gate.
G-night.I see he is not a DEM, as stated incorrect.But, a Repub.
Got it.