"Math Detecive" investigates suspicious wins

[Icewynd]

http://phys.org/news/2014-04-math-odds-suspicious-lottery.html

The Florida lottery found that some winners had claimed many prizes, up to 252 different winning tickets for one winner, so they asked the "Math Detective" to find out if this was within the bounds of probability.

Interesting that the video mentions Ontario, as we just completed a several year investigation and overhaul of the game due to the same phenomenon.

Good luck -- and always check your own ticket!

 

[Fairproof]

It is fun (not for Florida lotto, ofc )

It is good for lottos owners and users to try cryptocurrencies =) Their algorithm is usually clear.

 

[cdrake]

Regarding Canadian Lotteries

My question is, do the Canadian lottery commissions have to spin the ball chamber for a certain length of time before selecting the numbers or does it vary from draw to draw. My intuition tells me its the latter, which would then invalidate the lottery as a purely random event. It would be interesting to get an official response to this query.

 

[Icewynd]

Interesting question, cdrake!

Maybe you should contact the lottery commission with your question. I have even heard that sometimes they allow individuals to observe the draw, which would be pretty incredible.

Please report back if you find out.

Good luck!

 

[Frank]

I hope the Florida database contains information about how many tickets per draw the prolific winners bought and whether they were syndicates. It doesn't need a genius to work out that if you buy 10000 tickets, you are going to win some decent prizes. The crucial question is - were those winnings a profit on the total outlay or a loss.

 

[Icewynd]

Hi Frank,

I think in the states, since lottery winnings are taxable income, that people are recommended to save their non-winning tickets so that they can deduct the cost of tickets from any winnings on their tax form.

I would think that if you were the type of person who spent big and won big on a regular basis, that you would save those tickets!

Apparently in the Florida case they also used undercover officers wired with cameras to catch some of the clerks in the stores swapping out winning tickets for a dud. And, of course, any big winner who owns or is affiliated with a lottery ticket outlet is suspect.

Good luck, and sign your ticket!

 

[Frank]

In the UK they have altered the terminals so that if a winning ticket is scanned, a loud "Youre a winner" tone is sounded. This doesn't get around the dud ticket switch trick, where the retailer palms the customers ticket to scan privately later.

 

[Icewynd]

Here, in response to the same problem, they introduced self-scanners where you can check your own tickets without having to give them to the clerk.

Also, each winning ticket must be signed and they encourage you to sign your tickets immediately upon buying them. The clerk might do the switcheroo on the ticket, but would have a hard time cashing a ticket signed with another name.

 

[Icewynd]

Here, in response to the same problem, they introduced self-scanners where you can check your own tickets without having to give them to the clerk. They tried the sound thing, but some store owners just modified the machine so that the sound wouldn't play.

Also, each winning ticket must be signed and they encourage you to sign your tickets immediately upon buying them. The clerk might do the switcheroo on the ticket, but would have a hard time cashing a ticket signed with another name. This procedure protects the clerks too, as the customer can't claim that the clerk stole a winner and gave them a dud.

Good luck!