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The Hodgepodge PageAll About the Texas Lottery ...Brought To You By ...
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Continued .....May 15, 2001 - The TLC has posted some more misleading information on their "Ask the Director" page that warrants attention due to the "overall circumstances." One misleading statement reads, "The overall odds are the odds of getting a winning ticket out of the entire number of tickets printed. If a game has 20 million tickets and 5 million of those are winning-tickets, the odds are 5 in 20, or 1 in 4." This is extremely misleading because they've never had 5 million "winning" tickets out of 20 million printed. Example - They printed 20,395,250 Wild Money ($1) tickets and only 1,995,281 can be considered "winning tickets." And out of the 1,995,281 total "winning tickets," only 1891 tickets are even worth $100 plus - there were: 61 prizes at $4000, 128 prizes at $500, 1702 prizes at $100 but there were 1,060,760 prizes at $2. Professor Busald and his students went to all that trouble to get the TLC to tell the truth and use the phrase, "Odds of not losing" but they are still trying to mislead the people by using such numbers and phrases. Next - A player is complaining about the "winning tickets remaining sheet " not being very current and he is right. They are defending themselves and explaining why the store data is not as current. Anyway, they conclude with this misleading statement - "However, the same information on our web site is updated weekly, generally on Mondays. That's the most current information you'll find on winning tickets remaining." Well, this is Tuesday, May 15th at 10:30 am and the information posted right now is "as of May 5th." The truth is, the TLC really tracks this data DAILY - they can know by the minute, by the hour or by the day - so there is no excuse for current information not being posted on their web site. Also, two weeks ago in my open records request, they stated they didn't have this sheet available for me. I request a copy every two weeks and the last one I received was dated March 31. One last thing. Have you noticed that the stores have not received a "2nd sell-in sheet" for each new scratch game that shows how many tickets there are for each prize. Yet, with regard to this very subject, Mrs. Cloud's testimony on Jan. 31st was: "CHAIRMAN HEFLIN: Okay. Then the Commission -- the agency will have the ability to send a second sheet with corrected information once all the tickets have been delivered. Is that right? MS. CLOUD: That's correct. That's the intent, but what we intend to do with the initial shipment of the selling sheet two weeks prior to the game going out on the street is to leave out totally the number of tickets in that prize level, just send out to the retailer from this point forward the amount of the prizes that are in the game, and then after the game is received by us and we have the end of production information, then we'll send out a new selling sheet that will replace this one." This testimony was given Jan. 31, 2001 at the Capitol but the TLC has NEVER sent out a second sheet containing this information for the players. And for the record, her testimony that morning to the Commissioners was a little different - she actually said or implied that she really just intended to post this data on their web site. And FYI - They do have the end of game information. The most interesting part of this is that the "sell in sheets" still say "approximate" - yet the entire purpose of deleting this data was so they could start giving the EXACT or ACTUAL figures and not use "approximate" any longer. WOW - how can anyone believe anything the TLC says or even testifies to anymore? Oh well - nuff said. May 14, 2001 - I just wanted you to know that I am still with my grandmother who is in the hospital and very ill. For all of you who have sent me emails, I sincerely apologize for not answering you but it is long distance for me to dial my server to send emails and post my web site. I just got a local dial up number but I don't know how I am ever going to answer 10 days of email with me spending most of my time at the hospital. So please, keep writing but do understand my position right now. Please read and comment on the latest TLC proposal. We need to be heard and it'll take many comments and massive press coverage by the major newspapers for us to be heard. Unlike other state lotteries who claim it only takes one call from their players to be heard, considered and changes made - the TLC makes us expose all the dirt before they either change something or acknowledge it then they pull some underhanded trick that enables them to continue doing what they want. And I can assure you, these proposed changes are underhanded tricks that must be stopped. It's time for the TLC to own up to where they are - pay all winners the exact percentage due them and not one cent more or one cent less - quit trying to find ways to not disclose gaming information - quit trying to enforce rules that will only increase the unclaimed prize fund - and start paying out 55% of sales like they said they would - Enough said on that. To read about the proposed changes, click here. To read players comments already received, click here. I hate to post this here but I have no choice. For those of you that I promised to explain to you in laymens terms what all these proposed changes mean so you can report it to the people - well, I don't have your phone numbers or email addresses with me and I haven't had time to hunt them down. Please email me your phone numbers and I'll get back to you ASAP. At times like this I find it disgusting that the TLC doesn't send you a press release explaining what the proposed changes really involve so you can tell the people of Texas. How they expect you to read and understand what they have posted is beyond me. I think they don't want it known because they know in their hearts this is wrong. You know who you are. Also, Gerald, I need your email address too. I need a favor....please! Thanks. May 8, 2001 - My grandmother is seriously ill and in the hospital. I have been in Graham, Tx since last week and will remain here until the crisis is over. I did publish the new Lotto Report yesterday and I was told it was mailed out from Dallas. For those of you who are trying to call me or have written, well, I've not gotten my messages or mail so that is why you have not had a response. I did publish in the Lotto Report the entire story about the proposed changes and will try to have it posted on my web site by tonight or in the morning. I will work on it from the hospital. While the TLC site states that the rule changes have been posted in the Texas Registry, they really haven't. They should be posted May 11 so our 30 day comment period officially begins then. Please watch for my posting. As a player and citizen of the state of Texas, I absolutely oppose several of the changes the TLC wants to make and I have a very strong feeling that you won't like them either. We can absolutely prevent these changes. So ya'll come back for the details. May 1, 2001 - Well, the TLC is up to no good again. My story is already written and I'll post it in the next day or so. Believe it or not, they are "again" attempting to keep that $4 million starting jackpot figure but this time they're juggling the funds - basically they're proposing to not pay "some" 6 of 6 winners what is rightfully due them and then pay "some" 6 of 6 winners what's not in the pot for their win. You know, rob Peter to pay Paul. It's ironic ... they worked hard to get those big jackpots (added 4 balls) and now they're trying to screw some 6 of 6 winners out of their full share of the proceeds - just so they can roll the funds into the next jackpot! Unbelievable. We will be in a 30 day comment period and I feel we need to stop them. I'll make it obvious when I get everything posted. In the meatime, Business Week has a story about the lotteries in their May 7, 2001 edition. I've added it to my web site. I think you'll find it interesting - to read it, just click here. April 22, 2001 - (For the TLC question and answer story - see April 16th entry) I'm sorry but I can't tell you who the retailers were who sold the winning tickets last night. The TLC sends out this information but they refuse to send it to me - remember - they decided I'm not a "news organization" so they cut off my faxes last July 2000. If I had the information, I'd post it for you. I suppose since they won't post it until Monday themselves, they don't won't anyone else to either. This only hurts them and the retailers because people like to buy lottery from the winning retailers and with today being Sunday, players have travel time. I will make some calls and see if I can find out who sold the winning tickets anyway. Ya'll be sure and notice the numbers drawn last night - 2-10-23-29-47-48 - These are what you call "perfect baby boomer birthday numbers." And there were 4 winners! Once again, congratulations to those of you who won by "targeting" numbers and using the Lotto Report Friday and Saturday night. Ya'll are catching on on how to win! Feels good huh? Even Lotto Charlie won again. It's been requested that I start "suggesting" target numbers for ya'll - but Cash 5 only - and I said I would come up with something. But it will have to wait until late next week. The new report comes out tomorrow and that takes priority. April 19, 2001 - Well, like I said yesterday, the TLC waits a few days to fix things - or maybe I should say, "attempts to fix things." I've posted their "revised" answer to DD from Irving below. Just scroll down to the April 16th entry to read it and my comments - they are still suggesting that DD can buy the same tickets twice ... boy.... they want that $20! Why no Lotto winners last night - well, they only sold 6 million tickets and that's not even one-fourth of the total combinations. Plus, they ideally need two numbers above 35. And yes, the payouts were horrible. You must remember, they aren't selling what they had hoped so when the numbers drawn are low like last night, they have more winners to divide the money among. Since they started 6/54, it seems like they've had considerably fewer drawings with "ideal birthday" numbers compared to what they use to have. I'll sit down and figure this out and I'll post the results. Now, scroll on down and see what the TLC recommends for players. See if you agree! April 18, 2001 - I've posted some very interesting emails - be sure and go read them. And please, keep them coming even though I can't post them all. We have some VERY interesting things happening right now and the more I have, the better off we are. Trust me. (I know, famous last words ... but I'm not a man! <big grin>) Congratulations again to all you Cash5 winners. I've added to the "Fun Page" what you "might" have won if only .... And no, the TLC has not corrected their erroneous statements yet. The longer they leave it posted, the more people they can reach and confuse. Plus, they quit letting it be known how closely they watch my site. They've been waitng a few days before they make the corrections I have posted. Those sly little devils. This shows you how sincere they are in wanting to be as current, accurate and forthright as possible. Huh? April 16, 2001 - REVISED SCROLL DOWN - First, let me say that what I'm fixing to show you is NOT a joke - I swear, I've done a copy and paste. This question and answer came straight off this weeks "Ask the Director" from the TLC's web site. Now, let's see if you interpret this the way I do for a great he-he-he-he. My writings are in (italics). By the way, many thanks to those of you who took the time to send me an email about this being posted at the TLC web site. I would have caught it, just not as soon as ya'll did! Just think, last week they told players the last time they replaced the Pick3 balls was Sept. 2000 when the truth is they just replaced them on April 2, 2001 ... now this. Read on ....
Also, just for grins, I was right again. They overpaid the March 31st lotto winners by almost a half million dollars. To read about the winners and the overpayment, just click the link above. And YES, Don will have another play but there's not one right now. He's watching and waiting. I'll post it when the time comes. I have more news on the scratch offs but I have to compile my data so it'll be later before I post it. One last thing, my sincere congratulations to those of you who wrote me because you won the Cash5 Friday, the 13th of April. Turned out to be a good day in more ways than one - huh? I did post number "26" for everyone to see on the "Fun Page." (Link above) April 10, 2001 - (Edited - Re-clarified 4-11-01) When I got in last evening, I had quite a few messages so I'm posting the answers here for everyone ... (1) The TLC did replace the Pick3 balls on 4-2-01 - My posting IS correct. On April 9th, the TLC told ya'll (via their web site - "Ask the Director") that the last time the Pick3 balls were replaced was on 9-1-00. Well, I'm sorry but this is WRONG. They replaced the balls on April 2, 2001. (And as of 4-11-01 - 8:45 pm - it's still posted wrong on their web site - this is what it says: "Question: I would like to know the month, date and the year that the set of balls was last changed in the Pick 3 game. - P.H. in Corpus Christi - Response: Dear P.H., New Pick 3 ball sets (set numbers 13 through 24) were placed in rotation on September 1, 2000.") Poor PH - he thinks they are still using the same balls! (2) Regarding Texas Million - NO - they did not buy a new ball set and name it "0." It's just another mistake that they've posted. I told them about this error the morning of 4-9-01, but they only fixed the March 30th drawing. They failed to see that it was wrong for April 6th too. The bad news is, they didn't post a "correction notice" that they changed the alternate ball set chosen for players. I don't understand how they can have a mistakes like this and not catch it. When I goof, ya'll tell me. And I'm grateful too. Anyway - you can all rest assused that both of these items will be fixed now that I've posted it! April 9, 2001 - Another new scratch ticket is scheduled to begin on April 11 - it's called Yellow Rose of Texas. There is no information at the retail level about this ticket yet they printed this ticket LAST year. It's been in a warehouse. Ya'll, this is wrong. The TLC is selling their products without making any vital information readily available to players. They don't even have any information on their web site. I sure hope ya'll will pick up your phone and call your state representative or senator or newspaper or governor or Travis County District Attorney or radio or TV station or Attorney General - consumer divison. Do something - please - help me speak up. Complete details about Yellow Rose of Texas can be found on the "Scratch Off" page - link above. But basically they printed 20,444,250 tickets and there are 8 prizes of $20,000; 268 prizes of $3000; 3431 prizes of $300 and 12,463 prizes of $100. These are the "actual" figures. You know, I treasure all of your messages - they motivate me. But this week end, I got a Thank You note from one of Professor Busald's students and it touched me in a way that I cannot describe. The reason being, this was from the future of tomorrow. I realized that this young adult was thanking me for something she should have NEVER seen in her life time. Our government and ADULTS were trying to convince her that she was wrong about something she learned in school when she was never, in fact, wrong - what is this world coming too? These young people are the ones who will someday be taking care of us and look what Texas tried to do to these kids. At least I'm grateful there was something good that came out of all of this and that was that they learned to be persistent and to NEVER give up. Thank GOD they had Professor Busald - most people would have given up thinking it was a waste of time trying to fight government. I hope San Antonio College and the parents of these young people know how fortunate they are to have him on staff because these kids got more than an education in Math. OK - enough of that. One more thing - Ms. Linda Cloud got a much needed raise last month. She now earns $110,000 per year. I can certainly see where she deserves that - from the side of the state it takes nerve to screw the citizens then be big enough to fade the heat for doing it. Shoot, she can even go down in the history books for teaching our children how to add 2 + 2 and get 5 using her methods - "a matter of semantics" as she put it. No, I still haven't gotten my faxes back and I'm still trying to find out about the future scratch tickets so that I can be sure and report on them when the time comes. Someone needs too! The sad fact is that the majority of the people who buy the scratch tickets don't have computer access. Shoot, even if they did they'd have to come to my site because I'm the only one who gives the facts about the Lottery. And that's really sad. Well, it's time for me to close. The new Lotto Report comes out today so off I go. And can you imagine - the TLC says I'm not a news organization by their definition - but I'd say the TLC is communistic ... by my definition.
Continued....click here to read more
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