Can Lotteries be rigged? Here's how I think it can be done

[timejim]

I've always wondered if Lotteries using the "white, numbered lightweight balls, possibly could be rigged. I have heard they keep them under lock and key?? but they are also weighed. Now, if the lottery ball was, during its' manufacture, had placed within its' inside, a tiny "filing" of iron, then not only would that "iron filing" not contribute significantly to the weight requirements of the ball, but it would cause the ball to be "captured by an electromagnet", say placed at the right position in the "lottery drawing ball machine, thereby causing that ball to be "captured" momentarily and roll out the "chute" as one of the drawn numbers. Just wondering, seems as though it would work if a cleverly designed and built machine were used.

 

[fffbone]

You missed the whole point of lotteries.

 

[Guybrush Threepwood]

Originally posted by fffbone
You missed the whole point of lotteries.

which is?

 

[Mr. Robin Parsons]

Originally posted by Guybrush Threepwood
which is?

The volontary payment of TAXES

 

[jimmy p]

id have thought just using non lightweight balls which will stay at the bottom so more likely to be taken. while the others ill happily bounce around

 

[Mr. Robin Parsons]

Originally posted by jimmy p
id have thought just using non lightweight balls which will stay at the bottom so more likely to be taken. while the others ill happily bounce around

Since in lotteries 'order' * counts how do you arrange that it comes out in the 'order' you want?

*Order as in the difference 'tween 1-2-3-4-5 and 5-4-3-2-1 as they are (simply) distinguished sets/order

How do you control that, or do you try to buy that many tickets to cover all fo the possiblities, how mush does that co$t?

 

[russ_watters]

Originally posted by Mr. Robin Parsons
The volontary payment of TAXES

I call it an idiot tax - the dumber you are, the more you owe.

 

[Njorl]

The PA lottery was rigged a few years back. It was only the pick 3 though. The mob paid the announcer to inject every ball except the 4's and 6's with liquid. Then, all the low ranking mobsters bought tickets with vaious combinations of 4's and 6's "in a box".

It came up 666, and provoked quite a stir. The investigation nailed the announcer, and might have netted 1 or 2 others, but the payoffs went out.

Njorl

 

[timejim]

Originally posted by Mr. Robin Parsons
Since in lotteries 'order' * counts how do you arrange that it comes out in the 'order' you want?

*Order as in the difference 'tween 1-2-3-4-5 and 5-4-3-2-1 as they are (simply) distinguished sets/order

How do you control that, or do you try to buy that many tickets to cover all fo the possiblities, how mush does that co$t?

They do not come out in numerical order, it is random. My scenario would, say, since all tickets purchased are logged into the lottery computer, then, if they did not want a winner that week, just use 6 "doctored" balls that, when the six are drawn, they do not match any purchased numbers.

 

[Mr. Robin Parsons]

Originally posted by timejim
They do not come out in numerical order, it is random. My scenario would, say, since all tickets purchased are logged into the lottery computer, then, if they did not want a winner that week, just use 6 "doctored" balls that, when the six are drawn, they do not match any purchased numbers.

Sound really good, just a simple problem with it, in a 6/49 scheme there are roughly 14 million combinations and all that is required is the "sales figures" (ergo the number of combinatins sold) to preclude any, or all, given 6 number combinations...

But, clearly, it is NOT in the governments interest to NOT have winners, as winners drive sales, especailly BIG winners...and there is the loss in tax dollars, if the sales slump...

 

[jimmy p]

well the government could make the numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6 as the heavy balls, it doesn't matter what order they come out in, as long as they come out. I doubt people put money on them to come out...wait, now I am going to just in case!

 

[timejim]

Originally posted by Mr. Robin Parsons
Sound really good, just a simple problem with it, in a 6/49 scheme there are roughly 14 million combinations and all that is required is the "sales figures" (ergo the number of combinatins sold) to preclude any, or all, given 6 number combinations...

But, clearly, it is NOT in the governments interest to NOT have winners, as winners drive sales, especailly BIG winners...and there is the loss in tax dollars, if the sales slump...

They want winners, alright. But do you see by letting the mega jackpots grow bigger they induce more sales, more and more tickets are sold, thereby making the lottery richer but also enriching the lotter corp's profit numbers.

 

[Mr. Robin Parsons]

Originally posted by jimmy p
well the government could make the numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6 as the heavy balls, it doesn't matter what order they come out in, as long as they come out. I doubt people put money on them to come out...wait, now I am going to just in case!

It might surprise you to know but there are people who play those numbers just because they think that "those ones" are more likely to hit, and NO one else will be playing them, but SHHHH! don't tell that's a high level "security secret" just between you, and me, O.K.?

Lets see, anyone got the sales figures?, if sales exceed 13 million tickets/combinations then the likelyhood (AKA possibility/chance/probability/maybe/couldbe/perhaps/kinda/sorta) of all numbers being played increases...plus..

It's a bit like someone I knew, who told me that the "Best" time to play, was right after a 'Big Win' went down, cause then there would be fewer people playing...better chances of winning...
(as if this would somehow affect the odds, it doesn't!)

 

[jimmy p]

lol those people are crazees! woot! I am going to start my own lottery. 6 balls, choose 6 numbers, £1 play, £1 jackpot, i can't lose! or alternatively i could buy a fruit machine and use that as money wasting entertainment...at least if i had the keys i could get my money back!

 

[Mr. Robin Parsons]

Originally posted by jimmy p
lol those people are crazees! woot! I am going to start my own lottery. 6 balls, choose 6 numbers, £1 play, £1 jackpot, i can't lose! or alternatively i could buy a fruit machine and use that as money wasting entertainment...at least if i had the keys i could get my money back!

Good "luck" (whatever that is) but remember. there will be poeple out there just like you, trying to find a way to break your bank completely , heck tell me where I might just try too...

 

[Njorl]

I bet there is a way to maximise the expectation of payoff through psychology and statistics. I'd be suprised if it were possible to do as well as not playing at all, but if you insist, you might as well play smart.

First, consider the rules governing payout. Multiple people with the same numbers split pots. More people play when the pot is big, fewer play when it is small.

There is probably some preferential pot level to play at. This would be after a few no-winner drawings, but before there is a lot of hype. Say, the pot is triple normal, but only twice as many people play, for instance.

Next, consider how people pick numbers. While you probably couldn't get a breakdown of what numbers people pick, you can get a rundown of the numbers the winners picked. I'm not advocating "lucky numbers", just the opposite. Avoid these winning numbers. These numbers are picked more often for psychological reasons. Picking these numbers makes it more likely that you will have to share a jackpot.

Now, doing what I mention above is probably not practcal. Nobody has the data handy I'd guess. There is one thing you can do though. Pick numbers from 32-39 (or 40 if they go that high). These numbers are not used in dates.

Even doing all this, I doubt you'll recoup more than a few cents on the dollar wagered. Best idea is don't play.

Njorl

 

[Mr. Robin Parsons]

P.S. Have a calculator that does stats and odds (factorials) so you should realize that in a 6/49 kind of deal the odds range around one in 14 million, whereas in a 7/47 type of deal, they RISE to around 0ne in ~62 million...don't be fooled

 

[jimmy p]

You don't think I am going to let anyone else play on my lottery do you? Nah, its going to be an exclusive thing...to me.

 

[Mr. Robin Parsons]

Originally posted by jimmy p
You don't think I am going to let anyone else play on my lottery do you? Nah, its going to be an exclusive thing...to me.

AHHH then it is a losing propostion, all your winnings are taxable by government...your pot will only decrease, over time...

 

[jimmy p]

ok it will be an underground lottery. They'll have to catch me first! anyway it could be good for my love life, chicks dig rebels and fugitives...well maybe not fugitives...

 

[Mr. Robin Parsons]

Originally posted by jimmy p
ok it will be an underground lottery. They'll have to catch me first! anyway it could be good for my love life, chicks dig rebels and fugitives...well maybe not fugitives...

O.K.! but a little hint, stop telling everyone here about your SECRET UNDERGROUND LOTTERY...

 

[jimmy p]

..point taken. forget that there was ever an underground lottery scam. i don't exist. and i certainly have never posted here. all right?

 

[Mr. Robin Parsons]

Originally posted by jimmy p
..point taken. forget that there was ever an underground lottery scam. i don't exist. and i certainly have never posted here. all right?

Huh? What??/ who goes there?...oh just that cat...