Updates
The Hodgepodge Page

Continued...

August 15, 2000 - Entire Message Updated August 17 - For the new Lotto Report, I tallied how many 5 of 6, 4 of 6, and 3 of 6 winners we've had compared to drawings just prior to adding the four balls. I chose only drawings with identical jackpots for comparison - there have only been nine drawings with 54 balls anyway. I think you'll find this interesting as there were 58,965fewer winners - Just the perfect solution, according to the TLC, to spark more interest in the games and to boost morale and sales. Huh?

This number, 58,965, tells me how many people did not automatically reinvest their winnings or at least some of their winnings for the next drawing because they had that "lucky" feeling. This is "absolute" lost revenue to the TLC. You can probably add 4298 more to this number - this is how many people won only $67 for having 4 of 6 numbers on July 29. These players are disgusted too as well as the players from Aug 2 - another 3381 players who won only $86 for a 4 of 6 win.

I have received 3 emails this week regarding "Don O" - I grin every time one comes in because of how angry people get when they read what he said. I can say this to you because now you know how I felt the day I got his message! I will consider posting your emails but for the record, I haven't heard back from him since. Ya'll don't let him get to you - the world is full of crazy people - shoot - some people probably even think I'm crazy - or just a -----!

Aug. 9/10, 2000 - Can you believe it - only 35 people had 5 of 6 numbers - At a quick glance thru my records, these are the only times I found 35 or less 5 of 6 winners ....

Pretty pitiful - huh? Especially since they sent out that mailer last week. I will predict that at the Commissioners meeting tomorrow (Friday) that Toni Smith, the Marketing Director, will explain that sales are down because this past week-end was - tax free shopping back-to-school days and people spent all their money then. If that is the case, I just wonder why they sent their mailers out at this time?

Well, I guesstimate sales were in the $3.8 million range. (Sales were $3,801,862.) I think it would be OK to assume sales are not up. I really am having a hard time understanding why sales are so low since there were so many players and retailers in favor of these changes. At least that's what Ms. Cloud said and that's what it says at the Texas Registry. Look out GTech - the Commission might be getting mad at you before long because you brought in all those surveys signed by all those "groups and organizations of players" who were in favor of these changes - somebody might start wondering where all those players are.

August 9, 2000 - Let me bring you up to date on several items that ya'll keep inquiring about.

No, I have not had my faxes restored by the Texas Lottery Commission giving me the drawing results and press releases that I have received since 1993. I faxed Keith Elkins a letter July 26 and sent the letter to him certified, return receipt requested, as well. My letter was received by the Commission on July 31. Along with my letter, I sent Keith proof of my qualifications as the qualifications were stated in his suspension notice. By email and verbally, I provided proof of my qualifications but Keith verbally told me that I still did not - in his opinion - "subscribe to the Code of Ethics of Professional Journalism and until I proved to him that I do - he would not restore my services from the Communications department." Therefore in my letter, I specifically asked that he correspond in writing. This has been going on since July 11 and I am still waiting patiently. Don't worry, I will not drop this issue.

Next - Why keep Pick3, Cash 5 and Texas Million tickets with the incorrect odds on the back. Two reasons. Number 1) Fact - It was mandatory that each and every lottery retailer in Texas receive new playslips prior to the start of the new game and the task was apparently done successfully - So - Question - since the paper these tickets are printed on promote the Lotto and are currently promoting INCORRECT odds, why wasn't the same importance placed on getting new paper to the retailers at the same time the playslips were to avoid any chance of misleading the public? Did you know that legally the retailers are responsible and if there were any lawsuits, the Commission could probably turn around and blame the retailers and walk away from any blame. While the TLC gets to save more money by using up the old paper.

The interesting thing to me is that part of the "Code of Ethics" says: "Deliberate distoration is not permissable; make certain that headlines, news teases and promotion material, photo's, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent; never distort the content; support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant." These tickets alone violate the code of ethics of professional journalism. Not to mention the other things I could name right now.

Number 2 Reason) You should hang onto all tickets because if you ever won a significant amount, you would need proof of expenses for a tax write off.

The next Commissioners meeting is set for Friday, August 11 at 8:30 AM at lottery headquarters in Austin. And the answer is YES, if you wanted to speak to the Commissioners, you could at this time. You fill out a Witness Affirmation Form and they will call you and allow you to speak. Am I going to be there? I don't know yet. This is my press week-end and I am behind - as usual.

Thanks for all your emails and kind words of support. I really hope you are sharing your thoughts with the news medias in your areas too. Again I say, they are our solution. Please, write them. I'll give you a link to fast access to the newspapers. Just click here.

Saturday - 8-5-00 - 10:50 PM - Yeah .... we had another winner! God is really watching over us and answering a great many prayers. The winning ticket was purchased in Hitchcock, Texas. Using our new formula for estimating total sales, I guesstimate sales were somewhere around $5.1 million. And that my friends, is DOWN - especially since the TLC sent a mailer out this past week offering a free scratch off ticket in exchange for buying a Lotto Texas ticket. I'll post the actual sales figure Monday.

Friday - 8-4-00 - 11 PM - 55% instead of 50% - I'm not sure which part of this posting is the biggest story - what it took to get this information for you or the information itself. I think this tidbit will make your blood boil as it has mine.

For 3 days I've been trying to get the new Lotto Texas "where the money goes" breakdown. And what I fould was that either no one was available or no one knew the answer at the Lottery Commission. At 3:45 p.m. this afternoon, I was officially told to make an open records request which meant a 10 day wait for the answer. But I knew better - so I contacted my State Representative and she got these figures for me in less than 10 minutes. But interestingly enough, they gave her a hard time too - but she believes they wanted to confirm who she was first. There is something really wrong with this picture. And I'm still mad because we, The People, are entitled to this information.

And for the record too, Ms. Linda Cloud did call around 5 pm and she answered the question, but her call came after I had already obtained this information. I did not tell Linda that I had the information - I used the opportunity for verification.

Now for the news. Remember these statements in the Commission's press release that was issued last March regarding the proposed changes ... "The proposed changes are projected to bring $166 million more in yearly sales and to contribute $26 million more to the Foundation School Fund.... The pay-out will increase from the current 50 percent of sales to 55 percent.... Lower-tier prizes will climb from the current $3-$1,500 to $5-$2,500."

Since these changes took effect, players have not really won bigger prizes nor are sales up. And, with regard to increasing the payouts to 55%, did you know that this was done by reducing the School Foundation Fund to 33% of the total Lotto Texas sales - down from 38%? So, you wonder - how is the Commission going to contribute $26 million more with these changes? The answer - by creating a whole lot MORE losers than ever before. Now you can really see the anticipated true power of adding those 4 balls.

Did you also know that of the 5% payout increase - the 6 of 6 winner(s) gets 4.24% of it? They really need it - huh? Nay - common sense says that the motive for increasing the 6 of 6 winners portion by so much is just so that the jackpot will rise faster so they can entice more spending by the People - or maybe I should call us fools - particularly if we buy Lotto Texas tickets in abundance after being enticed by high jackpots produced by lack of winners.

Why were we not told of this reduction to the school fund? How can they possibly legally promote "increase of funding to schools" in rulemaking when they've reduced the percentages paid to them? Isn't this like betting on the "To Come" line?

So now that I've let this cat out of the bag too - I wonder what information the TLC will take away from me this time? I guess we'll see.

8-3-00 - 2nd posting today. The TLC is getting into high gear now! Everybody check your mailboxes - they sent out a mailer offering a free scratch off ticket in exchange for purchasing a $1 Lotto Texas ticket. And the offer is only good thru Aug. 31. That'll help sales - but I didn't get one myself! Imagine that! Thanks to those of you who alerted me to this. At least when sales go up, we'll know why!

8-3-00 - As predicted at 11 p.m. last night, the official sales for the Lotto Texas drawing for Aug. 2 was $4,266,603. I was dead on - huh? OK, OK, OK, I'll confess - I cheated - I won't take the credit for figuring it out by myself. I had help! You just need the formula and I'm proud to say that Professor Gerald Busald is the genius that shared it with me. He's THE man the Texas Lottery Commission hates to see because he only attends meetings when he's found an ERROR and he lets them know about it. I have posted his very simple formula but on its own page. Click here for the formula.

8-2-00 - Many of you have written and asked what the payout structure is for the new Lotto Texas game. As of July 19, 2000 - 55% percent of all Lotto Texas sales goes to the winners. Of this 55% - 68.24% goes to the 6 of 6 winner(s); 5.07% goes to the 5 of 6 winners; 12.51% goes to the 4 of 6 winners; 12.18% goes to the 3 of 6 winners and 2% is held in reserve. When I did the figures on July 31 (below), I couldn't figure out why they were off a little since I had the exact payouts in an Excel spreadsheet and it didn't match exactly with the percentages. I can only assume the reason was that I was working with rounded percentages which is the way the Commission quotes them.

Prior to the changes on July 19, the breakdown was 50% of all Lotto Texas sales went to the winners. Of the 50% - it was broken down this way. 64% went to the 6 of 6 winners; 5% went to the 5 of 6 winners; 18% went to the 4 of 6 winners; 11% went to the 3 of 6 winners and 2% was held in reserve.

As you can see, the 4 of 6 winners took the beating with the changes which I don't agree with because the 6 of 6 winner(s) got more and he/they were the one(s) who needed it the least. I guess the old saying, "The rich just get richer" is applicable here too!

7-31-00 - Here's a few tidbits to ponder - As of July 31, 2000, the Texas Lottery sold 6,947,708,219 Lotto Texas tickets. Out of those 6.9 billion lotto tickets, only 404 were six of six winning tickets; 112,765 were five of six winning tickets; 6,182,788 were four of six winning tickets and 115,338,840 were three of six winning tickets. Not counting the 6 of 6 winning tickets, the TLC paid out an approx amount of $1,144,189,321 to the three, four and five of six winning tickets - less of course - the unclaimed tickets. The approx amount paid for the six of six winners would be 64% of $3,473,854,110 which would be in the neighborhood of $2,223,266,630. Actually, I think it would be a little less because 2% is held in reserve. Under the new changes, the percentages vary from the figures above. Bottom line though, 50%, $3.4 billion came right off the top with 5% going to approx 16,000 hard working retailers; 7% to the TLC for administrative costs; and 38% to the School Foundation fund. And they want to make it harder to win?

7-27-00 - Yeah ... we had a $Forty Million 54 ball winner! I was so thrilled and I know you were too. Can you believe it, usually I'm a little sad that I didn't win but because I didn't play, I was thrilled when I heard we had a winner. I've posted the sales figures for this "rollover" period below including last nights drawing. It was interesting to hear that if there had been no winner last night, the jackpot would have only gone to $48 Million! How 'bout them apples?

7-25-00 - Advise first - ya'll hang on to your Pick3, Cash 5 and Texas Million tickets that you purchased on or after Sunday, July 16, 2000 if the odds on the back of the ticket reads "1:57" for the Lotto. That number is incorrect - it should be "1:71." I believe the Commission/GTech had sufficient time to get new paper to the stores which apparently they failed to do. But they managed to get the new playslips out.

I've just spoken with the TLC and learned that the new drawing machines are expected to be placed in rotation on September 1. The new machines are being shipped out today and are expected in next week.

Also, I want to thank you for your emails and for keeping me posted on your feelings. I have not had time to answer all of them but I will.

I received one email regarding the Texas lottery and the Florida lottery. The writer recommended that I compare and share this information with you. A $65 million jackpot was won in Florida this past Saturday night. Florida added 4 balls plus a second weekly drawing effective last October 27, 1999. Florida has a 6/53 but Texas has a 6/54 which means winning in Texas is harder than in Florida. Below, see how Florida's jackpots rose compared to how Texas' jackpots rose and do realize, Florida's players are angry too. This should do your heart good!

Date	TX		Date	TX		Date	Florida
2-26-94	$3 Mil		7-1-00	$4 Mil		6-24-00	$5 Mil
3-2-94	$10 Mil		7-5-00	$6 Mil		6-28-00	$7 Mil
3-5-94	$20 Mil		7-8-00	$9 Mil		7-1-00	$13 Mil
3-9-94	$35 Mil		7-12-00	$12 Mil		7-5-00	$ 17 Mil
3-12-94	$55 Mil		7-15-00	$16 Mil		7-8-00	$ 24 Mil
3-16-94	$77 Mil		7-19-00	$21 Mil		7-12-00	$ 30 Mil
50 balls	5 Winners		7-22-00	$30 Mil		7-15-00	$ 40 Mil
			7-26-00	$40 Mil		7-19-00	$ 50 Mil
			54 Balls	1 Winner		7-22-00	$ 65 Mil
						53 balls	1 Winner

If there had been no winner on July 26, the next jackpot
would've been JUST $48 Million

Now let's look at Texas' actual Lotto Texas sales figures for recently and previously for the following drawings.

Date	Est Jackpot	Total Sales		Date	Est Jackpot	Total Sales
2-26-94	$3 Mil	$6,859,914		7-1-00	$3 Mil	$4,132,024
3-2-94	$10 Mil	$11,214,850		7-5-00	$6 Mil	$3,923,839
3-5-94	$20 Mil	$15,204,765		7-8-00	$9 Mil	$5,041,336
3-9-94	$35 Mil	$20,490,718		7-12-00	$13 Mil	$5,454,008
3-12-94	$55 Mil	$34,089,942		7-15-00	$16 Mil	$6,503,436
3-16-94	$75 Mil	$51,929,357		7-19-00	$21 Mil	$7,114,614
				7-22-00	$30 Mil	$8,886,969
				7-26-00	$40 Mil	$12,102,943

By looking at the above figures, obviously Players meant it when they said they would quit or cut their spending if those 4 balls were added. It also appears that sales are climbing but, in my opinion, not like they should have under the circumstances. I believe that sales will continue to climb until someone wins and the unfortunate part is, I'm afraid with the current odds, it could take a while to see a winner. But, when God blesses us with a winner, then and only then, the true story will be told.

7-23-00 - I've posted just a few messages that I've received lately about the numbers drawn this past Wednesday and comments about the changes. Very interesting reading but I'm not posting all the messages. Only a few! Click here.

7-21-00 - You ask me, Are the drawing rigged? I can't explain why three of the four new balls appeared Wednesday night. Judging by the email I've received, many of you are upset to say the least. And I certainly understand why.

My position on this issue is really tough because I believe, if a person lies, misrepresents himself, and/or uses loopholes to his advantage for money, then, in my opinion, he is capable of anything. With that in mind, when asked if I think the drawings are rigged, my answer has to be, "I hope not but I have no way of knowing for sure."

Let me explain. Last September was the first time in quite some time that I had been to the drawing studio in Austin. And it was the first time ever that I was unable to see what numbers were actually drawn in the pretest drawings. This is because I was forced to stay at the back of the room where I, nor anyone else, could distinguish the numbers on the balls. The numbers drawn were read to me by the staff.

I went to Linda Cloud the next day and explained to her that I felt this was WRONG and would someday catch up with her if the public ever attended the pretest drawings or an actual drawing where one could not distinguish the numbers drawn. I thought it looked "suspicious." Several days later, she called me in Dallas and told me she was pleased to inform me that my advise had been taken and camera's were on order so visitors could see the numbers themselves.

Just FYI - Ms. Cloud changed the procedures at the drawing studio when she became Director. Prior to her tenure, visitors were shown around and had everything explained to them when they attended live drawings - both pretest and actual drawings. The drawing staff really went overboard back then to gain public confidence. Don't misunderstand, the staff is still really nice. Visitors just can't see the numbers on the balls drawn so I can't say, "I know so because I saw it with my very own eyes!"

My last visit to the studio was at the end of May, 2000 and the situation at the drawing studio had not changed for being able to determine the numbers drawn for the pretest drawings. I usually do not stay for the actual drawings - (though I have in years past and I did see everything "live") - I go there now for the sole purpose of seeing what ball sets and machines are chosen and to get the results of the pretest drawings. In this procedure, the staff has to relay the results to the visitors as visitors can not see it for themselves.

What's ironic - on a previous visit in early May, they handed a friend of mine a bright pink instruction sheet that clearly says in all caps, "Do not touch the machine, drawing equipment, camera or ball." Then it says, "Anyone in violation of this rule will be escorted out of the building." I found this message amusing since we were roped off at the far back of the room and couldn't touch anything even if we wanted to -

So, you're asking me - is it rigged? Well, I'm not in a position to answer that question because I don't work there - but, I prefer to believe the drawings are not rigged.

Continued....click here to read more