Note: The dates shown on the messages are the dates I'm posting
them - they do NOT reflect the date I received them. I haven't posted any
comments in a long time so I'm going back to catch you up on several subjects.

March 10, 2004
Good morning Dawn, can u tell us why "not to buy quick picks" thanks. Liz

I received some tickets today (3/10/04) that will show you exactly WHY you should not buy QP. I will be scanning these tickets in for all to see then you can decide for yourself as to whether or not you should buy QP. Watch for this in the coming days - I believe seeing these tickets will convince you without me having to explain.

March 10, 2004
Dawn, Please post my message on your site because I want lottery players to know that we CAN and HAVE been heard.

In today's (3/10/04) Houston Chronicle appears a story that read in part: "For the first time in almost 30 years, District 131 in Houston will have a new representative in the Texas Legislature after Alma Allen upset longtime incumbent Democratic state Rep. Ron Wilson."

Because you posted stories last year regarding HB3459, I learned that my state representative, Ron Wilson and another Houston representative, Talmadge Heflin, were instrumental in debating HB3459. This bill passed but it removed the players rights to comment on Texas joining multi-jurisdictional gaming and it classified Texas' joining multi-jurisdictional gaming as an emergency measure by law which I opposed.

As I watched the floor debate last year on the internet, I knew it was time to displace Mr. Wilson and Mr. Heflin come election time. They were not the Voice of the People. If you recall, I sent you an email promising their demise.

I want you to know that we campaigned for two weeks prior to yesterday's primary election and our district successfully booted Mr. Wilson out of office. The press credits his departure to the redistricting issue though that's not entirely correct. We don't care what reason the press gives, the point is, Mr. Wilson won't be our greedy legislator any longer. Come November, we plan to boot Mr. Heflin out.

The last sentence in the Houston Chronicle story was a quote by Representative Ron Wilson. It said, "Every decision I make politically is based on benefiting the people I represent." I think this is the biggest lie ever told and puts my mind at ease for what I've done to him behind the scenes.

I would also like to thank you Dawn for your web site. Not only have I learned about the Texas Lottery, but I have learned much about the legislative process. It may take time, but eventually we, THE PEOPLE, will be heard through our votes. RS, Houston Texas 77035

March 10, 2004
It's good to see some truth about this subject [G-Tech] is finally coming to light. You missed a lot of references about Gtech including the Wall Street Journal article about them and their getting thrown out of CA for bribing a state senator. They were also thrown out of Arizona. They also were involved in scandals in Kentucky and NJ resulting in the convictions of govt officials. The article also failed to notice that GTech also hired Reggie Bashir (not sure of the spelling) and another high level republican in the Bush governor administration as their lobbyists in Texas making them two of the highest paid lobbyists in Texas. I am sure that they did not funnel any of their pay from GTech into George Bush's election campaigns.

For those of you who read all the stories about G-Tech, well, it seems there are more stories coming. Rumor has it that G-Tech is having problems in Brazil now. One headline in a Brasil newspaper reads, "Report Confirms Fraud in G-Tech Contract." Watch for more news on this - I hope to have the stories posted soon. Right now I'm attempting translations which is a tough job and I am trying to get G-Tech to call me back!

March 10, 2004
Dawn, Your March 8, 2004 report is right on. [Daily Page] The predominant reason sales are up is because they are doing $48 million plus a week in instant tickets. However, their presentation to the Commission would have you believe that it was due to Mega Millions and Lotto Texas. No name.

March 10, 2004
I occasionally purchase lotto tickets at a Diamond Shamrock in San Antonio. On Feb. 28th 2004, I had a lotto ticket checked there. The employee gave me $3. I had neglected to put my name and address on the back and asked to see the ticket. The man said he had to keep it. Shouldn't a ticket- holder be given proof of the actual value of the ticket? JCM San Antonio

You have an excellent question. Retailers do have to keep the actual ticket once they've paid on it BUT the terminal automatically prints a receipt showing how much the ticket was worth. The clerk could have given the receipt to you to PROVE how much the ticket actually paid. You really don't have to sign tickets to claim them UNLESS it were a big prize. Then you should and do have to sign it. My advice is to NEVER let the terminals or clerk check your tickets - you need to check them yourself so when you go into a store you know what you've won. I'm sending a copy of your message to the TLC - they should have someone check into this. We'll see if they do.

March 10, 2004
Dawn, I was wondering what comments were made in our complaints to the District Attorney. Is anybody saying anything? Would you share the comments with us? Shouldn't the DA investigate the cheated winners too? And how will we know what they've done? CR.

The complaints, some with comments, are coming in very well. I'd say one in every 10 has a comment. YES, the DA should investigate the cheated winners. I will address that issue and a few others in my complaint to him. I don't know what they've done yet. I'm still sending complaints in. Here's a few samples of comments made ...

1. I really don't understand how the Lottery keeps getting away with things that I would be severely punished for ...

2. Is the TLC above the law? Do they have something on someone in the DA's office? Why are they able to change the game at will and impose ludicrous odds on a game without considering any "LEGAL" input from the Lotto Players? There are 22 million people in Texas; if everybody bought a ticket, that would leave 25 million plus numbers unpurchased. One has a better
chance being crowned King of Texas than he does winning the lottery. The TLC needs to be dealt with to the full extent of the law. It will be very interesting to see exactly what the DA's office does with this. Election time coming up guys and there is a lot of mad ex lotto players out here.

3. And while your at it, investigate the money laundering of Tom Delay. He needs to cool off in a cooler. However, be sure and keep those GTECH guys separated from Tom Delay.... Those great minds could create another ENRON.

4. Since the TLC had purchased the machines prior to ever hearing comments from the people, this leads one to believe that the rule's outcome had already been decided. Then, after the biggest majority of the people who commented opposed it, the TLC still chose to approve the new rule. This is clearly a violation of code 2001.029.

5. I don't play the lottery and never was fooled into the misconception. The TLC just proved my point. Thank you

6. It is ironic that the Texas Lottery Comission website opens with a headline about a scam. Don't many things in the lottery equate with scams? Especially the scratch offs? They boast prize amounts and the quantity of these prizes but do not tell the number of tickets printed. Notwithstanding that ones chances are probably 100,000 times greater of getting struck
by lightning or hit by a meteorite than winning a grand prize. There is something unsavory about the glittering statements that do not tell the whole truth. Is it demagoguery, greed or just lack of ethics?

7. Why have rules if they are not to be obeyed? Wouldn't this be a great country if NO-ONE had to follow the rules set in place. I guess maybe it doesn't apply to all people the same, some do have to go by rules and some are the PRIVILEGED and can make up their rules as they go.

March 10, 2004
Hello Mr. Nettles, Thank you for being able to write to the Travis District Attorney in a format that will not be rejected by errors in submission. I strongly believe that the Texas lotto went down hill since Nora Linares was "kicked" out of office by greedy republicans. As soon as the other republican nora came in the lotto pot decreased. It also has less promotions, for the retailers, and ultimately the players of the State of Texas. Research this topic. Thanks again on your website. Best regards, JS

March 10, 2004
Dear Dawn,
Just a quick note to say I read your comments in the Houston Chronicle today: "Nettles said lottery players in Texas want a "reasonable chance to win" rather than huge jackpots." On the nose! I quit playing Lotto when they changed it from 50 to 54 balls, which I guess was at least 5 years ago. Makes you wonder where the people at the Lottery Commission get their data. Glad someone finally made that observation. Steve C. Houston, TX

March 10, 2004
Dawn, I've given up on the Texas Lotto, due to their lack of respect for the players. Haven't bought a ticket in over a year, will not return. I'll do my little dab of wagering on games with better odds, which one can find with little difficulty. I tried to warn them of their folly.........now it's too late to put it back together.......JN

March 10, 2004
Dawn, While browsing Google, I found your website; I have to say that I learned a lot about the lotto in just a few minutes, you have done an outstanding job maintaining the information current, Thanks to sites like yours, a lot of unknown information is becoming public knowledge. PC

March 10, 2004
Dawn, Thanks for writing back. Actually I do agree with you. I am just tired of news in general. All negative. We the people have learned to ignore it because of the volume we are constantly exposed to. Most people are aware that they are getting ripped off but don't know how to change it. I suppose you are correct that we need more "watchdogs" on the people entrusted to handle our money. Frankly, I quit playing the lotto (except one ticket occasionally) because I never hear of winners. If the managers of the lotto would get a clue and realize that people would play more if they won something worthwhile (perhaps half of sales?). And more than 1 or two dollars on a $5.00 scratch off, e.g. Also where the hell is the money being spent? I wrote to the lottery commission right after they changed the pick 6 to pick 5 plus bonus where the odds went way out the roof. I told them I wasn't going to play any more and was going to urge family and friends not to play. They wrote back saying that she wished I wouldn't do that, that the new game meant more money for the state. Imagine that. I love the state but what's the incentive to play???

And what are the salaries of the clowns operating the lottery? Do we (the people) have a right to know that? We are paying them correct? Who do they have to answer to? The governor? No one? Can they vote themselves raises and increased benefits as do our congressmen and senators? (You know, the one who write the laws and who don't have to worry about Social Security because of their own separate program). What exactly do they do all day? Polish balls? Check the numbers? Can you arrange for me a job with them? I am sure it pays more than what I have ever made. (Degreed Environmentalist). Also, why are we not entitled to see the accounting books? That should be posted in the newspaper and on the internet.Where is each dollar of the lotto spent? An open record balanced book is needed. Why can't we vote on where it is spent? Right now I see it as a crooked operation for lack of information and a freebie for the greedy. Maybe they (the lotto) can change that and maybe if rewards were there and open records were available readily, I and others will contribute to the State of Texas. Our chiefs always think the indians are stupid. Walt

March 10, 2004
Good work on your reporting of your Texas lottery information. I consider it a fair source of unbiased point in determining the condition of the lottery. You mark smith is centered correctly when you state that terminals are faulty, the lotto "loots" players by under paying, overcharging, and keeping public information hard to get. Best regards.

March 10, 2004
Dear Dawn, Since you have pointed out that the state attorney general has no jurisdiction over the TLC because it's a state agency, then WHO do they answer to if they are lying, cheating, and stealing from players like me? I have played their game since they began 11 years ago, and I haven't won a bag of dirt! Maybe it's been fluke, but I've noticed that the more I log onto their website and see time after time after time that their newest winner is somebody from the Austin-San Antonio-Houston area, the more I feel the game is rigged. I have contacted TLC with my complaint about this, and they said they are honest and fair. They also told me to check their website winner's list, but this still doesn't convince me. Why? because I can't believe that nobody here in the metroplex would not want to be pictured and recognized while every Tom, Sue and Bob down there does!!! This doesn't make sense to me when the Dallas/Fort population is about 2.5 million people!! Also, when you combine other non-winning cities such as El Paso, Tyler, Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, and THEIR populations, then I find this interesting!! (When I pointed these out to the TLC lady on the phone, she got huffy and ended our conversation) One more thing, assuming that the drawings ARE fair, then how do they explain the scratch-offs? Everybody down there also wins the top prize amounts on these as well!! I reserve the same right as anybody to have the same chance to win----anywhere in my native state! Since all of our top-name politicians, judges, and big businessmen, (like the Bushes, governor, etc.) live in the Austin-Houston area, then I hope the laws of the land catch up to them if they are guilty of any wrongs. (Dan Morales is a good example) Your comments are much welcome. Sincerely, MH

March 10, 2004
Dear Dawn Nettles, I look forward to seeing your web site every morning when I get to work, Your web site "The Lotto Report" is my home page. I just want to let you know that wednesday Dec. 3, 2003 was the last Texas Lotto and Cash 5 that I will ever buy, untill the Texas Lottery Commission changes the lotto back to its original plan. Every gambling penny I spend from this day farward will be on the MEGA MILLION game. Not because it is harder to win or has a big pool, but because when I do spend my Dollar, I can stand to win more money on just the 5 numbers without the mega ball. If they were to sell a game that just paid down 3 tiers only, and tier #3 still paid over $10,000. I would play that game. I do not like spending a dollar to win a dollar, Or the way I play is spend $100 (100 plays) to win $5 or $15. Keep your web site going, and GOOD LUCK! randy

March 10, 2004
Subject: Your quote: And, the Texas Lottery is a "state agency." If we can't trust them, then who can we trust? There are no conditions under which anyone for any reason can trust any government agency, ever. Especially in the US. But it applies to all governments. I wish that you would clarify such on your website. Government is the servant and not the master of the people DJ

March 10, 2004
Thanks for all of your work in keeping up with all the details. Also please say a big thanks
to Don for me also. I certainly appreciate you both. I.S., Weatherford

March 10, 2004
Hi Dawn, We love your web site. And Don's pick 3 predictions. Thanks A LOT!! I would like to know about the scratch off tickets. The odds listed on the back of one of the $10 tickets I bought stated that every 1:3.2 tickets would be winners including break even winners. I bought 7 in a row of these tickets and did not win a thing. I would like your comments about it. I belive I should have won on at least one ticket if the odds are correct. What are your thoughts?? Thank You, Ricky F.

If I were buying scratch tickets, which I don't, I'd wait until the game is older before buying them. I've noticed that on the games with really large payouts, the top prizes are coming in much later than they use to. This is just an observation on my part.