Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich answers your questionsPrev TopicNext Topic

• Iowa Lottery

  

  Clive, Iowa
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  July 27, 2015
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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:45 pm

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  In response to mypiemaster

  Quote: Originally posted by mypiemaster on Jan 11, 2016

  PLAYER SAFETY!!!. Why are the lotteries still broadcasting winners info regardless of risk. Shouldn't MUSL and other lotteries give the player the option of anonymity? They investigate the winners anyway, so what's the the justification in publishing winners info. The lottery does not need winners per se for publicity. Just look at what PB is doing this week.

  Whew! Can't believe we're 40 minutes in! This has gone fast! I think the long-running lottery jackpot investigation shows why it is important for lottery winners' information to be made public. Iowa law has always required release of lottery winners' information. To our understanding, lawmakers put that requirement in place as a security mechanism designed to ensure that real people -- and not lottery insiders -- were winning lottery prizes. We think the system has functioned well and we do our best to make prize claims a really fun event for our winners. We just had a $1 million winner here today and we celebrated with him and sent him home with an oversized check and a bunch of Powerball swag. It was great to meet him.

  Terry

  CEO  Iowa Lottery
• grwurston

  

  100

  Same #'s. Different games.

  United States
  Member #90,247
  April 24, 2010
  13,843 Posts
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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:46 pm

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  In response to Iowa Lottery

  Quote: Originally posted by Iowa Lottery on Jan 11, 2016

  I understand your concern. There have been instances, however, where both ball-drawing equipment and RNGs have been compromised. The critical issue, as you have referenced, is having the security and integrity measures in place to protect against wrong-doing. Someone will always be trying to beat the system, and lotteries constantly have to make improvements to guard against that. The breach of trust in the lottery jackpot investigation stems from the actions of those who apparently were willing to risk the consequences of committing fraud in an attempt to secure a lottery prize.

  You said ball drawings have been compromised.  Other than a machine malfunction where the balls go flying  into the air, how is that possible. Can you elaborate? Also, is that why the lotteries have so many pretests before the actual draws?

  
• mypiemaster

  

  LOOK WHO IS LAUGHING NOW.

  EUPHORIA.
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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:47 pm

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  Chief Todd Northrop has been very instrumental in educating the masses worldwide, about the intricasies and complexities involved with the lottery. How much attention do you guys pay to USAMEGA/LOTTERYPOST?. If not why not? You guys should have somebody devoted to surfing  USAMEGA/LOTTERYPOST at least one hour a day. It is that important.

  Seek and ye shall find -Matt. 7:7 ...Ask and ye shall receive -John 16:24 ...Give and it shall be given unto you -Luke 6:38 ...Be careful what you ask for!!! -Mypiemaster 1:1

  Having Money Solves Problems That Not Having Money Creates  ****John Carlton****
• Iowa Lottery

  

  Clive, Iowa
  United States
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  July 27, 2015
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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:47 pm

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  In response to erdie

  Quote: Originally posted by erdie on Jan 11, 2016

  Hi Terry, thank you for taking the time out to answer our questions, I would like to know is it  true that the larger states have a better change a hitting the jackpot than the smaller state, or middle class area versus low income areas, I understand that the larger amount put out the better your chances are, if this is the case then why should the smaller states, middle income areas or low income areas waste their money playing, what do you think, does everyone really have a fair chance of hitting the jackpot, like the powerball that is now 1.3 billion, will the winner be the states who brought in the most profit

  The odds are the same for every ticket sold, no matter where you live, where the ticket was purchased or how the play was made, meaning easy pick vs. picking your own numbers. It is true that there are more people playing in states with larger populations, but that's simply because more people live there. It doesn't mean they're luckier. Small, large, urban, rural, it all averages out over time. Here in Iowa, we're a small state within the Powerball system, but we're actually ahead of the curve when it comes to winnings compared to population. So, we'll take it.

  Terry

  CEO  Iowa Lottery
• sonnet

  

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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:47 pm

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  Mr. Rich,

  To follow-up on my previous concern about RNGs, is the cost savings for using them worth losing the public trust, when the system is rigged?  Third follow-up question what made your officials first suspect EddieTipton?  The fox guarding the hen-house, so to speak? Did he suddenly start flashing some bling?

  ~s
• Dee88

  

  50

  PA
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  January 18, 2009
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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:49 pm

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      Why do some states let you see the pre test results and other states do not...?

         2079    1085   8841    7227   3305   4651
• Wendy G

  

  Rocky Mount NC
  United States
  Member #116,158
  September 5, 2011
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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:50 pm

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  Good evening, 

  What is the probability of this ever happening again and most importantly are there measures put 

  in place so this does not happen in any more states
• Iowa Lottery

  

  Clive, Iowa
  United States
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  July 27, 2015
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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:51 pm

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  In response to sonnet

  Quote: Originally posted by sonnet on Jan 11, 2016

  Hello Mr. Rich, 

  Even if RNGs and ball-drawing equipment have their vulnerabilites, as you've noted, the ball-drawing machines offer the player a modicum of interaction by watching each ball dribbling out of the chute, anticipating the next ball, then talking to the machine to display their desired number and utimately shouting out the next number, even if that ball was different; and the players ticket did not match.   This is much more fun than computer generated digits that simply flash numbers.  Why would any lottery official want to remove the "fun" factor for the player because RNGs are easier to maintain?  For whom is the lottery targetted, the players or the lottery officials?

  ~s

  That does it! I'm yelling at the drawing equipment from now on! Your description is great! Seriously, many drawings aren't televised because there are so many of them. This forum shows the likes and dislikes of different types of draws, and we appreciate that input. It's important to know that those of us who administer lotteries are committed to having games that are fair, regardless of how they are drawn. And we hope the games are still fun and you can still do lots of yelling.

  Terry

  CEO  Iowa Lottery
• mypiemaster

  

  LOOK WHO IS LAUGHING NOW.

  EUPHORIA.
  United States
  Member #141,028
  April 2, 2013
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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:51 pm

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  I want to congratulate you and Chief Todd Northrop for doing a fantastic job. Much success in the future to both of you. Have a great year!!!.

  Seek and ye shall find -Matt. 7:7 ...Ask and ye shall receive -John 16:24 ...Give and it shall be given unto you -Luke 6:38 ...Be careful what you ask for!!! -Mypiemaster 1:1

  Having Money Solves Problems That Not Having Money Creates  ****John Carlton****
• music*

  

  Fresno, California
  United States
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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:51 pm

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  Terry Rich, Thank You for answering our questions even if they were not about security.

   "We are all in this together!" 
• Ron5995

  

  Wyomissing, PA
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  November 15, 2014
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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:52 pm

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  Is RNG computer source code and detailed hardware specifications available to the public?
• Iowa Lottery

  

  Clive, Iowa
  United States
  Member #167,701
  July 27, 2015
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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:54 pm

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  In response to SQL-MAN

  Quote: Originally posted by SQL-MAN on Jan 11, 2016

  Was Eddie Raymond Tipton a former computer programmer?  Is it a common practice to hire computer programmers to oversee lottery operations?

  Hi, SQL-MAN. We appreciate your question, but this is one that we really can't comment on due to the ongoing investigation. We believe that the details of his background and the work that he did at the Multi-State Lottery Association will come up during his next trial, which is scheduled for July.

  Terry

  CEO  Iowa Lottery
• rcbbuckeye

  

  100

  Texas
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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:54 pm

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  Good evening Terry. Thanks for being with us tonight.

  Do you ever see Mega millions and Powerball merging into one national lottery?

  CAN'T WIN IF YOU'RE NOT IN

  A DOLLAR AND A DREAM (OR $2)
  
• Candy-Lane

  

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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:55 pm

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  In response to Candy-Lane

  Quote: Originally posted by Candy-Lane on Jan 11, 2016

  Good evening Mr Rich,

  Before finding out about the scandal, I used to play Hot Lotto (with the sizzler) twice a week, every week. I won't reveal how much I was spending. I will just say it was a lot!

  I feel extremely let down and cheated.

  What are The Lottery Officials doing to re-gain public trust?

  Have the stopped using computerized drawings yet?

   

  Thank-you!

  Mr Rich,

  I do not see where you have answered my question. I realise  that you are being bombarded with a lot of questions all at once.

   

  I will wait patiently for your reply.

  Thank-you!
• Iowa Lottery

  

  Clive, Iowa
  United States
  Member #167,701
  July 27, 2015
  25 Posts
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  Jan 11, 2016, 8:55 pm

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  In response to Ron5995

  Quote: Originally posted by Ron5995 on Jan 11, 2016

  Is RNG computer source code and detailed hardware specifications available to the public?

  Um, no.

  Terry

  CEO  Iowa Lottery