Here you go Todd, as requested....
Thanks for your interest in the Missouri Lottery and for writing us
with your questions and concerns. It is always nice to hear from our
players.
The information you are receiving from your other source is correct,
the Missouri Lottery will be converting to an automated draw system on
Monday, July 19 and we will also be adding a Midday draw to the daily
games (Pick 3, Pick 4 and Show-Me 5 Paydown) starting Monday, July 26.
We know and appreciate the fact that our players need to be informed of
game changes, promotions, etc..., thus, we try our best to communicate
this information in a timely fashion. If your other source is a
Missouri Lottery licensed retailer than there is a reason why they are
informed of the upcoming changes before the general public. Retail
owners and employees are the Missouri Lottery's front line, because they
have to sell the games and sometimes explain how to play, etc...in which
case, the retailers must be prepared and sold in before the actual
change occurs.
Our Web site ( color=#800080www.molottery.com) is and will continue to be the best
place to visit for the most up-to-date information. We will be posting
a news release today on our Web site that communicates the upcoming
changes.
I would like to take this opportunity and provide you with some
additional information regarding the change to the new automated draw.
In an effort to reduce expenses, improve security and provide a more
entertaining draw show, the Missouri Lottery is converting from
traditional draw machines to a new automated draw system and 3-D
computer animation to select and present the daily numbers. Again, the
Lottery's new draw system, which utilizes computers and random number
generation to select winning numbers, will begin drawing Pick 3, Pick 4,
Show Me 5 Paydown and Lotto on July 19, 2004.
The new 3-D animated draw show will be broadcast at the regular time
(6:57 p.m.) on participating stations. Fox Channel 2 KTVI out of St.
Louis, has agreed to continue televising the nightly draw show and all
draw shows will be available on our Web site, ( color=#800080www.molottery.com)
through a streamed video. The Missouri Lottery already uses an automated
draw system to draw the winning Club Keno numbers, which are broadcast
on monitors at more than 725 retail locations.
The Missouri Lottery's decision to convert from traditional numbers
draws to computerized drawings will save the Lottery more than $80,000
annually and avoid having to replace $192,000 worth of older (10-18
years), and increasingly unreliable, drawing equipment.
Automated draws are an industry trend. Thirteen other lotteries
including California, Lotto-Quebec, Kansas, Delaware, Oregon, Minnesota,
Colorado, Idaho, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Nebraska and
Indiana have already converted from traditional drawing machines to
computers and random number generation for all or part of their on-line
game drawings. Powerball, which is currently being drawn on traditional
draw machines from Des Moines, Iowa, is considering a conversion in the
upcoming months. By utilizing computers, random number generation and
animation, lotteries have reduced costs including personnel and
production, while updating the look of the draws and preserving the
integrity of the Lottery. No lottery has reported a decrease in sales
as a result of the change.
The Lottery's new automated system utilizes a variety of new
technology to improve security of the draws. The new computerized system
software, aptly named ODDS (Online Daily Draw System), is loaded on to
three independent PCs that are housed in a secure draw room located next
to the Lottery's main computer room at headquarters in Jefferson City.
These draw computers are not connected to the internet or any other
network source. The room has no other phone or data lines from which to
send or receive information.
Utilizing three different PCs adds to the randomness of the overall
system. The selection of which draw machine will be used is determined
by a random drawing prior to the draw. Each of the three machines has an
independently certified random number generator device, which generates
random numbers using "thermal" and "amplifier" noises collected
from the computer.
The draw machines are networked to a file server, which will provide a
common repository for draw information. A digital video feed provides a
detailed record of everything that occurs on the drawing computers.
Special motion-activated video cameras will videotape every action on
the draw computer and in the draw room 24/7.
Multiple video monitors are configured so that draws can be
simultaneously viewed by draw personnel, computer operations and anybody
interested in viewing the draws from outside the draw room. Login access
to the draw room and each draw machine will be protected by fingerprint
recognition hardware and software. Only designated draw personnel will
have access.
The Lottery's new automated system will be operated by a draw manager
and independent auditor, who will conduct series of system pre-tests and
the actual draws. Prior to conducting pre-tests and draws, the new draw
system utilizes special "CDCK Check Digit" software to determine if
anyone has tampered with the draw equipment since the last draw. After
confirming that no activity has taken place since the last draw, the
draw manager will conduct a chi-square pre-test for all games to ensure
the Random Number Generator is working properly. After this
confirmation, the drawings will take place. The new system is designed
to permit only one drawing of a game per draw date.
The Lottery's computer operator will monitor the draws, via a monitor
in the computer room adjacent to the draw room. After the draws are
completed, and the winning numbers are verified by the draw manager,
independent auditor and computer operator, the winning numbers are
disseminated to the public through the Lottery's retailers, Web site,
hotlines and various media outlets.
The Lottery's new draw system has undergone numerous independent
tests and certifications to guarantee randomness. Dr. Paul Speckman, a
professor of statistics at the University of Missouri, conducted a
"Die Hard" test on the Lottery's new Random Number Generator
hardware. In addition, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), an
independent testing lab for gaming regulators, certified the Lottery's
new ODDS (Online Daily Draw System) software, Random Number Generator
hardware, draw procedures as well as the physical security of the new
draw room. In addition to daily chi-square pretests conducted by the
draw manager and independent auditor, the Lottery's Security Division
will conduct monthly Random Number Generator Meter tests to ensure
system randomness over time.
The Lottery's new draw process will include a more entertaining 3-D
Animated Draw Show. The Lottery's winning numbers will be entered
into a special graphics computer located at the Lottery's LETS studio,
which will generate a broadcast-quality 3-D animated draw show. The
animated draw show will continue to be uplinked at 6:57 p.m., statewide
for rebroadcast on participating television stations (KTVI-Fox 2 in St.
Louis, as well as stations in Hannibal and Kirksville).
The Lottery's initial animated draw show will be a 3-D version of our
old draw machines drawing the winning numbers. In the future, the
Lottery will develop a variety of more fun and entertaining animations
to present the winning numbers.
As I mentioned earlier, Missouri Lottery will be expanding from one to
two drawings a day on July 26th for Pick 3, Pick 4 and Show-Me 5
Paydown. The drawings will now be held at 12:57 p.m. for Midday and
6:57 p.m. for Evening, so players have will have twice the chance to
play each day and twice the chance to win! You can continue to play
your favorite daily game (Pick 3) for the 6:57 p.m. Evening drawing and
now if you choose to participate in the Midday drawing at 12:57 p.m.,
you can purchase a ticket for that drawing as well.
The way to play Pick 3, Pick 4 and Show-Me 5 Paydown will not change
with the addition of the Midday draw. The chances to win are same, the
cost is the same and the prizes are the same, with a few notable
exceptions:
* Pick 3's Top Prize Increase to $600
* Pick 4's Front 3 and Back 3 Payouts Increase to $600
* Both Pick 3 and Pick 4 Now Have The Highest Payouts Around!
The Lottery's Midday and Evening drawings will continue to be
recorded and video-streamed on the Lottery's Website. Midday draws
will not be broadcast on television, but will be streamed to the
lottery's Web site. Other sources for Midday draw numbers will include
Check-A-Ticket machines and on-line terminals at retail, as well as the
local winning numbers hotline.
Thanks again for your interest in the Missouri Lottery. If you have
further questions and concerns, please don't hesitate to write back or
call 573/751-4050. Be sure to check out our Web site for additional
information concerning the upcoming changes.
Have a wonderful day!
Sincerely,
Tim Nichols
Customer Care Unit
Missouri Lottery