Since Delaware started RNG drawings in 1994 or 1996, not sure exactly when now, I have requested a viewing of the process on at least 3 occasions. (That fact of when they started computer draws seems to have been eliminated from Goggle search, as trying to find any newspaper articles or any info at Delaware Lottery itself (their time line of events doesn't list it), can't be found. They seem to have managed to control any search regarding it.) On my first visit there, probably a couple of years after it started, I was shown the entire process. They had 2 desktop style computers marked "A" and "B", standing vertically in a glass cabinet, locked with just a plastic type wire tie with a controlling mark so that improper removal would be known. I was told that these computers were in no way connected to the Internet. Cables leading to a computer screen and a keyboard were the only connections. I was told that each computer had 3 lottery RNG programs installed. When the drawing process started an auditor hired by the lottery (or perhaps by the state) was there to monitor the drawing process. All of this occurred in a glass windowed room which was always locked. I witnessed the entire process that night. First, cards were shuffled to select the computer to be used. Then cards were shuffled to select which of the 3 programs would be used. This would show that anyone attempting to alter the process to have a specific number come out would have to "hack" 3 programs in 2 computers. That night I was also allowed to be the one pressing the button attached to the computers to pick the 3 digit and 4 digit numbers, and maybe Delaware Lotto also, not sure now. And "no", I didn't pick my own winning number that night! So everything appeared to be on the up and up. They did not conduct any "practice" draws, but did have some kind of computer process that "guaranteed" that all of the "virtual" balls were in the computer. I have gone back 2 other times, but the last time was probably 4 or 5 years ago. Things had not changed except for more cameras installed to oversee the area, and I was not asked to do the drawings during those visits. As far as I know, I am probably the only person to have ever requested viewing the process. Possibly prior to the state legislation trying to get the lottery to change back to ball drawings in 2005, a period reported here on Lottery Post, I had seen a local state representative in a local diner, and requested that he look into the computer drawings and told him I knew of no local players that liked them. He did follow up, but was unable to generate anything at that time, but that may have been part of what transpired later.
Now, knowing in particular that the Delaware Lottery was (and still is) in charge of gambling casinos and Sports betting in the state (although the casinos are now run by private companies), they know gambling and slot machines, etc. According to state law, the casinos have to have each machine payout from 87% to 95% annually. These machines are computer ran and the programs can be changed by a master computer at any time to control payouts. Many or perhaps most of them are cycled to slowly take ones money. This I noticed myself on several times when playing in the past, (I haven't played any slots in years and never played much then) when I would press the button for a play and the lights would flicker slightly, the machine would be locked for a couple of seconds before responding. This would happen maybe 5 times in one hour or less. I mentioned this to someone at the lottery by an email and his response was "that the machine was just being checked for money content". I was only adding quarters or dollar bills and not enough certainly to require 4 or 5 checks that often. No, they were just changing the program to "bleed" me down.
So the point of this is that state lotteries know every number that we play, what is the most popular to the least. They are always trying to find ways to get us to spend more on the games. Suppose that they had found a way to actually "program" daily numbers into the RNG program to come out on specific days, allowing players to win "big" at times of need like around Christmas when presents have to be bought, or certain holidays, etc. Then we players would be able to take care of business but still play the lottery. And based on gambling psychology, most players that win "big" keep on playing "bigger" and "longer", so that the end result, the big payoff doesn't hurt the lottery at all. They could control the lottery drawings just like a casino slot machine. So that the annual payouts would reflect what they wanted to give up, allowing them to make a certain percentage. They are already doing this with the popular "keno draw every 5 minute" games around the country, setting the computer to lock out ones numbers to control the payout. I know from experience they are doing this in Delaware. And it is so obvious when I watch a drawing and see 2 of my birthday numbers on the screen and decide to play a 3 spot ticket for 5 games. In the 5 games I will get 2 numbers right one time for a $1 win and watch as they bring out numbers next to my numbers, or even "surround" my numbers, trying to make me think "I almost won". This game is hard enough to win that it could be conducted honestly and they would still make money. It is like the slots and I rarely play it, only to keep myself convinced that it is "rigged". Now I know there are some "keno" style games around the country where people have won big. Perhaps these are actual ball machine games or large states that can afford to let more people win the computer type game and don't lock out as many numbers like they do here in Delaware. New Hampshire for example shows many keno winners each month on their website whereas Delaware shows none for 2021. They only show 4 or 5 on the Keno screen and of course that is for the benefit of me as I play, thinking I am going to be next. And that same list of winners will show for a week at a time. They have had the keno game in Delaware since 2013 I believe and I have never seen where anyone has won the top prize of $100,000 for a 10 spot. Not sure if anyone has ever won the 9 spot prize of $25,000
So all of this might sound like "conspiracy theory" but the point of the RNGs is as Todd says, we can't see inside the program code, so we don't know what is going on there. Heck if this type of thing was going on, and numbers were predetermined, a programmer knowing what number was coming out in a certain state could have someone buy several tickets at different locations, and cash them at different locations, and the 2 of them could make an extra $50, $60 thousand a year without anyone ever being the wiser. With Internet streaming today, There is no reason why state lotteries couldn't conduct in house "live ball" draws and stream them on the Internet. We might not get to see an instant draw, but we could see it 30 minutes later. And the lottery under good times minus covid, could ask for observers to come to the lottery office to watch the draw to see that it was done properly. This couldn't cost them anymore than the computer process.