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E-mail Me Continued ... Oct. 13, 2000 - This was my delivery week and I've not had time to post anything this week. So, I'm covering several things. First, thanks for writing the letters to the papers - I've heard we had some "opinions" printed across the state and that is what we need to get the message out. And I really thank those of you for sending me copies. Keep them coming in and keep writing the newspapers. Second, YES, I will add your objections to the scratch off vending machines to our issues list. Minors can and do buy from these machines and I agree that they should be treated EXACTLY like the cigarette machines. We filmed minors purchasing these tickets so we have proof too. Third, I did attend the Commissioners Meeting Wednesday morning and I made a plea for the TLC to recognize me as a member of the media and to treat me as such. I asked them to reinstate my faxes so I can be accurate & prompt in my reporting. I did play Keiths Elkins message for the Commissioners where he told me why he would not reinstate my faxes even though I met the Commissions written criteria. If you haven't already heard this, click here (it's an .mp3 file) then if you want to see their written criteria, click here. Again, the answer is pending. Professor Busald from San Antonio College testified too and most of his testimony was recorded and televised. He told the Commissioners that the odds on the scratch off tickets were wrong and he felt they should start telling the truth on the tickets. He also mentioned the $1.9 million overpayment to the $40 million jackpot winners. (To hear Keith Elkins comments regarding this issue, just click here. This is an .mp3 file. It's short and loads fast.) - Anyway, Linda Cloud explained that they went back years ago to see how they should forecast sales for this size jackpot and this is what they came up with. But the sales weren't there. She concluded her explanation with, "This is what reserve is suppose to be used for." For seven years I've been told repeatedly that reserve is used "mostly" for paying the 3 of 6 winners. Players, this is too much money from our pockets going to a select few just to cover the TLC's "inflated advertised jackpot figures." We must rebel and get an increase in the lower tier prizes. I'll post the transcript when it comes out so you can read it. Fourth, YES, I'm working on a special page for you that will show all payouts for the Lotto Texas drawings since the 6/54. I will have it up in the next couple of days and I'll keep it current. You will finally be able to see exactly how much is in the prize pool vs how much was actually paid out for every prize category for every drawing. Oct. 9, 2000 - I told ya'll I'd post the communications I received regarding the TLC suspending my faxes. Well, now you can HEAR Keith Elkins reasons and read the letters. (There are now 2 files types of Keith's message on this page - the new file downloads much faster, it's an mp3. Thanks for all your comments - they've made my day complete!) Just click here and click on the links as you read the story. My new Lotto Report comes out today so I will be out more than in for the next several days. But you have plenty of new material to read! Oct. 8, 2000 - We had a $10 million winner! And I've done a special page just so you can see the carry over figures. Click here. Oct. 7, 2000 - REVISED - See 2nd Paragraph - The Sep. 27, 2000, $19 million winner went to Austin to collect his winnings. And guess what, the TLC wrote him a check for more than he was rightfully due. Click here to see the breakdown and to read my comments. Regarding the "advertised" $40 million July 26th Lotto Texas jackpot where the accumulation was $1.9 short of the amount given to the winners - Keith Elkins exact quote on 89.1 FM radio in San Antonio was - "Neither Dr. Busald nor his students have caught us at anything, because there was nothing to catch." Keith, the facts are: the TLC paid the Sweet 16 Group $20,545,440 but the carryover was only $18,565,635. Why did the TLC pay more than the accumulated amount? Isn't it true that it required $20,545,440 to have a $40 million return so the TLC had to come up with the differences so the TLC wouldn't be guilty of false advertising? And you think this is "nothing?" Players - see what I mean by deny, deny, deny, deny? Oct. 4, 2000 - Wow - what a day! I'm trying to get caught up on my work which means I'm reading all my mail. Came across one that I've posted for you. It has to do with the Deceptive Trade Practice and wondering if the TLC is in violation regarding the 3000 organizations they claimed were in favor of this change. Click here to read this very informative message. Also, I have another reader who sent an excerpt from the Texas Registry where the TLC addresses the comments. We'll add this to our list of complaints about how they avoid issues and use "loopholes." See if you agree - here is the excerpt: "Comment: One commenter indicated that when "advertising the odds of winning, it is certainly deceptive advertising, if not an out and out lie to call a ticket that sells for a dollar that is redeemed for a dollar, a winner." Response: The Commission disagrees with the comment because there is not a one dollar prize amount in the Lotto Texas game. The least amount a person can win is by matching 3 of 6 numbers for a prize of $3." Also, since so many of you are asking for an explanation on the $1.9 million error, I have drawn you a picture so you can see it and understand it. Click here and scroll down under the apology to Linda Cloud. Oct. 3, 2000 - REVISED - It's official. Machine D is in rotation now. Ball set "7" has been placed in rotation and Ball Set "8" is in reserve for both Cash 5 and Lotto Texas. It appears they have a "rotation schedule" now and rather than explain it to me they suggested I make an open records request which I have already done. As soon as I know what the new rules are, I will post them for you. (Thanks to a player, I have just learned that the TLC plans to rotate the balls every three months - I guess this was too difficult for the TLC to tell me by phone.) NEW - Also, click here to read the latest "half truth" the TLC is telling us now. When you get to this page, scroll down to "TLC Blames the Retailers." Oct. 2, 2000 - REVISED - I called the TLC this morning at 9:15 to try to verify that Machine D was actually going to be placed in rotation starting tonight. They did not know so they put me over to someone on the "drawing team" which was Holly Holmes. I got her voice mail so I left her a message. With no return call, at 4:05 I left another message but this time I went straight to Holly. Again, I got her voice mail so I left another message. I'm trying ya'll but they don't return calls to me very quickly! What nerve!!! :)) Also, I did receive a letter from Linda Cloud last week telling me she was standing behind the agency's (Keith Elkins) decision to not restore my faxes. Apparently, she does not consider me a member of the press so they will not send me the press releases nor the drawing results like they send to all other news media's. So, I will be posting all the communications for you to see in the next couple of days. I think you'll find it rather interesting to see how they refuse to address issues brought to their attention. But, right now I have to get caught up on my work and don't have time to start a new page. I know ya'll are angry at the TLC and our government and so many of you feel that our hands are tied so why waste your time, money and energy. Well, my answer - because of this very attitude - is how they get away with what they do. When people don't speak up, then govenments claim everything is A-OK so they have a free hand to do whatever they want. Ya'll, quitting is not the answer and we must demand to know the truth and all of the truth. I want to give you something to think about. You can pick up the newspaper and read where so and so went to jail because he cheated someone out of some money. They were caught "scamming." Well, the way our lottery money in Texas is divided, I think the lottery is nothing more than a "legal scam" itself. What the Texas Lottery has done is no worse than conning some little old lady out of her money because their conning all of the people out of their money. They don't give enough back and they lie, then they deny, deny, deny, deny, deny. And it's got to stop. It's NOT fair to the people. We must spread the word and demand changes. More to come. Sept. 28, 2000 - I sent out a press release to the media late this evening about our upcoming protest on Saturday - hopefully, it explains our issues fully. Also, I want to share a funny with you that one of the players said to me today. We were talking about the Protest rules - stay on sidewalk, don't block the driveways, and don't carry a sign on the Anatole's property - if you have to go to your car or the bathroom, just lay your sign on the sidewalk. And then the player said, "Shoot, that means I can't wear my t-shirt that I had made for this." I said, "Why not?" And he said, because it says, "Impeach Linda Cloud!" Now that was an original! Anyway, to read the press release, just click here. PDF format. Sept. 26, 2000 - REVISED - I've just posted a Protest Flyer that needs to be distributed. Would you please help me get these out by printing it and placing it in the stores? And spread the word to everyone you know by email. If anyone has access to mass faxing, that'll work too. I need help ya'll. Click here. PDF format. Sept. 27, 2000 - REVISED - The Protest is ON and we need people to come and help us tell state officials to GET REAL - Tell Us the Truth and Help the Retailers. Time and Place: Saturday, Sept 30, Wyndham Anatole Hotel, Dallas, Market Center @ I35. 10AM.on sidewalk at Market Center side. I'm proud to say that we have players coming from Houston, San Antonio, Kirby, OK City, Austin, Ft Worth and Midland. I never expected players to come from that far away. But I think eveyone recognizes that with the National Conference of Lotteries being here, the time was RIGHT and the plan will work. For those of you who want to participate but can't come & protest, to be a part of this, all you have to do is join GET REAL and you will be heard too. There are no dues, just memberships. The email link is on the page with the issues. The issues are listed and the complete details are being published. ISSUES UPDATED - Click here to read. Remember, we must ALL come together to be heard. Sept. 14, 2000 - Updated - Sales are still down - They were $3,837,860. I have a number of things to tell you but I'm just finishing getting the new Lotto Report out so I can't post anything now. I've received lots of email that I have not answered yet - but I will get back to you. And, yes, I'll post some for you to read after I've read them.Two things before I go - (1) Machine D is not available after all - they say it'll be in use by Oct. 1.(2) It's been suggested that we protest on Saturday, Sept 30 instead of Friday. Several people have said they want to come but can't because it's a work day - For those of you who have committed to Friday, Sept 29, is it OK with you to change to Saturday instead? I'm proud to say that we actually have committments from players who plan to fly in for this. That's impressive. I will have all the protest issues posted in the next couple of days. Sept 10, 2000 - In the last 10 draws, the TLC sold approx $90 million in Lotto Texas tickets but sales were still down considering the circumstances - Click here to see exactly how much the players got and get ready to get angry and you'll see how sales were actually down. Sept. 8, 2000 - As of today, my faxes were discontinued for the pretest drawing results. I was told to get this information from the TLC's web site - but I have 2 problems with this. First, the TLC's site does not indicate what ball set or machine was actually used for the drawings and 2nd, I've learned in the past to avoid errors and save time, to report this information to you using only the official Selection Forms. The latest example - if I had used their site for reporting the machines for Wednesday's Lotto Texas drawing, I would have reported incorrect information and I would be having to redo all my work as a result of this. This has happened to me numerous times in the past and has cost me considerable time. FYI - Their site is still wrong as of this writing and they've known it since yesterday morning when I told them. I placed a call to Linda Cloud yesterday but she still has not returned my call. Also, I've updated the protest page.Just click here to read it. Sept. 7, 2000 - Sales are still down - they were $15,271,203 for last night. I explained to you how they were down on the Drawing Results page. You'll find the explanation under the drawing results themselves. I also made comment about the malfunction of the drawing machine - this is especially important to you if you track the pretest drawings. And you'll get a big laugh out of this one - they made another mistake - so they cut me off from receiving the faxes so I can't catch the mistakes and you can get inaccurate information. Of course, I've got a call in to Linda and she can reverse the decision. Click here to read the details - they are posted under Lotto Texas' drawing results. Sept. 3, 2000 - The TLC began using new balls for the Pick3 on Sept. 1. But they failed to tell us or announce the forthcoming change. Since they just replaced the balls last Nov. 1, 1999, I'm caught a little off guard. I'm accustomed to them keeping me abreast of this sort of thing because they know I track this information extensively for the players - Sorry ... I let you down on this one. Sept. 2, 2000 - For tonight's drawing, I guesstimate sales were $11.1 million. (They were $11,097,011 to be exact) It's taken 9 drawings for Texas to reach a $46 million jackpot yet Florida reached a $65 million pot just recently in the same length of time. For comparison, in Oct. 1999, Texas had a $38 million jackpot and sales were $14.7 million - and this is when the Commission thought sales were down! Obviously, sales are down but the Commission is getting a raise all the same. Just not as much as they had hoped for and the saddest part of all is, it's at our expense. September 1, 2000 - Effective tonight, the TLC will begin using new drawing machinesfor Lotto Texas and Cash 5. Aug. 30, 2000 - After the drawing - Once again, sales are down - they were $8,633,758 - there was no winner and the pot is climbing but very slowly - it's only $36 million for Saturday. Of course, that's still alot of money. The Commission is not earning near what they expected - and their peers are probably viewing this as failure. I still want to know where all those "groups and associations" are that wanted this change. In case you didn't know it, the Commission claims that approx. 3500 "groups and organizations" were in favor of this change and they claim they "only" had 450 who were opposed - that is - according to what I read at the Texas Registry. But I always try to remember what my mama taught me - don't believe everything you read, especially when you know better! I certainly think I'm justified in thinking sales should be soaring since they had such support though.(?) So I'm really beginning to question the validity of that posting. Wouldn't you? You can go to Florida's web site and see how their jackpots have increased compared to ours, but remember, they added a second drawing per week which means that the $1, $2, and $5 players are playing twice a week now. Actually, when you consider all the factors, their sales are declining trememdously. (Example: For a 7th drawing where there had been no winner, Florida's jackpot is at $40 million whereas Texas' is only at $29 million; but in May of 2000, Florida's was at $50 million by the 7th drawing. Of course, the Lotteries/States are making more money because they get their cut right off the top. Remember, the higher the jackpot, the higher the sales. But to accomplish this, they have to make winning harder so they can increase their profits. I say NO.) By the way, a Florida player called and asked me if I would come help their players get the message across to their state officials too. What a compliment that was. Don't you know Texas would love for me to leave! Aug. 26, 2000 - After the drawing. Yes, sales are still down. I guesstimate that for tonight's lotto drawing they sold approx. $7.4 million. (They were $7,391,580 to be exact) For comparison, there was a $23 million jackpot on 4-12-00, they sold $9.4 million; on 6-28-00 (prior to adding the balls) they sold $8 million for a $21 million pot; and exactly one year ago on 8-28-99, for a $23 million pot, they sold $8.9 million. This was the day they first voted to add four balls to get sales up although people didn't know it yet. Gee, I still wonder where all those "groups and organizations" are that were all for this thing just a few months ago? Oh, I will address the GTech vs UK comments when I have time. This is press week-end for me and I'm behind. So watch for it. Aug. 25, 2000 - Promo Shopping Report and Drawing Studio News - Yesterday I visited a store where a promo was taking place. After I bought $5 in Pick3 tickets, I stopped at the wheel to inquire as to what was going on. I was told if I buy $5 in lottery products, I could spin the wheel and would either win a cup, t-shirt, cap or magnet for my refrigerator. Since I did just purchase $5 in Pick3, I spun the wheel and won a cap! Then he gave me a coupon that said if I buy a lotto ticket, I would receive a free scratch off ticket. I declined the coupon stating that I would not buy a lotto ticket so he graciously informed me I could purchase any online game and still get the free scratch off - so I kept the coupon. As to whether or not he knew who I was, I do not know. I can only assume this is how they are promoting the games. I will say that he does not approach you, you must walk up to him and inquire. They are not aggressive. Ya'll keep asking if I have my faxes back and what has the Commission said. Well, I never got a response to my letter to Keith Elkins (mailed on July 26) - then I sent him an email (Aug. 15) and have had no reponse to it either. So, yesterday I sent a letter to Ms. Cloud, the Executive Director, asking to have my faxes reinstated. I suppose the jury is still out and we will have to wait and see what they do. After I see what happens is when I will make the decision to post all the communications for you to read. For right now, I will keep this private but I will let you know what happens. Drawing studio news - one of two subject matters that "really" irritates Mr. Keith Elkins. Keith told me the last time we spoke that he really was angry over my story about the drawing studio. (If you didn't read that story, it is the July 21 entry - just scroll down to read it.) Anyway, my story is/was 100% true - but he objected to my not stating that I was present for the "pretest" drawings (which I fixed) and he objected to my not calling him prior to posting this story to ask if anything had changed. (Keith - I didn't call for three reasons - (1) rarely do you call me back - generally you'll have someone else call me if I get a response at all; (2) I was addressing emails and calls asking if I thought the drawings were rigged and all I could honestly do is tell what I knew firsthand; and (3) I'm not sure that I can put much creditability in much of what or how the TLC portrays things these days for very obvious reasons.) As of yesterday, I can finish this story. In mid to late June of 2000, I published for the first time in my Lotto Report and on my web site, the fact that visitors could not see the numbers drawn if they visited the drawing studio to watch any of the drawings. That is, unless you have super vision that allows you to see a small TV screen that is placed on a chair approx. 4 foot away. And - it is/was only on for the actual drawings. I saw this ONCE but I still could not distinguish the numbers on that small screen. Anyway, while I've known all this since Sept. 1999, I was under the impression that the Commission had the camera's on order so I honestly thought they were trying to correct this. FYI - Linda Cloud called last year and told me cameras were on order. I felt if players knew this, it would probably stir up trouble and this is exactly what I expressed to Linda Cloud last Sept. But each trip since then - I'd ask and I'd hear, "Do you know how long it takes for a state agency to purchase something?" In June, I decided it was time to tell. And I knew at the time I published this news, the situation was still exactly the same at the studio. Well, yesterday I finally received verification that an "emegency" purchase of the necessary equipment was purchased for the drawing studio on July 7, 2000 and installed on July 7 & 8, 2000. Now the papers I have in my hand have conflicting dates - one set shows July 7, one set shows a ship date of July 17 and another set shows a ship date of July 24 and the Commissions purchase order shows August 2, 2000. They also show "emergency." Because I didn't quite understand the conflicts, and knowing that Communications wasn't going to answer my questions, I called the owner of the Security company that did the work. He explained that, "they called and said it was an emergency - they had auditors or someone telling them to get this done ASAP. My secretary is not here but I think we robbed Peter to pay Paul (for the equipment) and I think we did this job on July 7th due to the extreme emergency." Folks, no matter which date is correct, I am proud to report that if you visit the drawing studio now to see the pretest or the actual drawings, you can see the numbers yourself - no one has to read them to you! And this is confirmed in more ways than one. August 18, 2000 - Updated - Ya'll are gonna love this one. GTech reps are going to the stores and offering a free spin on a wheel in exchange for purchasing a $5 Lotto Texas ticket. Then when the Rep leaves the store, in two hours, they leave a handful of coupons, the same ones that were mailed out, so the stores can give them away to their players. These coupons offer a free scratch off ticket if you purchase a Lotto ticket but the stores say they'll give whatever the customer wants. Now this is aggressive. The best part is, the stores have told me that they have been surprised at how many people have declined the offer so the reps are leaving discouraged. Continued....click here to read more
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