Guys,
I'd like to throw my two cents in here.
IMO there are two kinds of Bias, Natural and Mechanical.
Natural Bias is present in any random dvent. The laws that govern this type of bias have to do with the tendency of dvents to take on the bell-shaped or Gaussian Curve over time.
Mechanical Bias has to do, of course, with the mechanical dynamics of the machines, ball weight, air pressure, size of the bin, order of the balls as they drop etc.
It is very easy to determine which bias is effecting the draw. Computer Generated Numbers, eg; California, have no mechanical parts that can affect the outcome. Therefore those winning numbers obey the laws of Natural Bias. Now machines on the other hand can be unpredictable sometimes. For they follow BOTH Natural and Mechanical Bias to varying degrees from state-to-state.
I would estimate that the average mean distribution across the board is probably about 5% Mechanical Bias and 95% Natural. Lottery officials make it a point to assure that Mechanical Bias is kept to a minimum. What they can't avoid is the Laws of Natural Bias.
(Here it comes.)
My system uses a reverse logic based on a drawfile. From one number to the next, by position. Rather than predicting what the next digit in that position will be. We calculate what the next digit in that postion will not be.
From any given draw to the next in the 3-Digit for example.
The odds of that same digit falling in that postion is 1:10. The odds of a different digit falling in that position is 9:10. This is effective until we reach the 50/50 Threshold, 5:10. If a digit/number repeates before that threshold, It is due to bias. Most of the time it is due to Natural Bias. Only by looking at the big picture can we verify for certain whether it was natural or mechanical, ie; the digits that preceeded the beginning cutoff.
I believe in computer systems, mine especially, because you can eliminate human error in the selection process. You can rely on the algorithms/code to make the correct calculations based on sound mathematical principles.
I do not believe that winning numbers come to us by blind luck, astrology, faith, tea leaves, etc. etc. etc. If they do provide a win is is by pure chance. Not an understanding of the forces that create random numbers.
....../George