Texas Lottery
The Matrix Changes Proposed
on January 31, 2003 ...
Posted: Wednesday, Dec 11, 2002
Revised: Feb 2, 2003
88 Ball Proposal - Feb 2003 - The Players Plan - Click here.
(This page contains links to all the related pages.)
Commentary First ...
The matrix change shown below is bad for the people. The
reason - the TLC is "purposely" attempting to change Lotto Texas
to
make winning more difficult so the jackpots can grow. They are
excusing their actions and themselves by stating, "the lottery is a
business that's intent is to make money for the state."
However, you need to know that the states were given a monopoly
on lotteries - not to make money for themselves - rather, the intent was to
PROTECT the citizens in this country from unscrupulous business tactics.
I agree that the TLC is entitled to make money and
I don't begrudge them for making money - but fairly.
The lottery already makes plenty - they tell us repeatedly that
they've given $10 billion to the state in the last 10 years.
The Texas Lottery
is
guaranteed success because,
generally speaking,
they
keep 50% of sales ... right off the top ...
then the feds come
in and take at least 28% more from the players
winnings.
This means the players ONLY receive 22% of total sales.
What irks me is that the TLC, and apparently our legislators, are
simply
not satisfied with what the people
of Texas are willing to
donate (lose)
freely and are purposely, willfully
and intentionally
designing games
that players can't win so they can make more money.
As I recall, Enron was in business to make money
and in their
greed, stole millions from consumers using under-handed tactics.
Body Solutions Weight Loss Formula is in business to make money too.
But the Attorney General, Mr. Abbott, is currently suing them. The reasons
stated,
"When it comes to the promises of Body Solutions Evening Weight
Loss Formula, the only thing guaranteed to get any thinner is
the
consumers wallet." [Dallas Morning News, 12-6-02] And this is
exactly what the Texas Lottery is doing to the people of Texas.
I think the following quote by Mr. Abbott regarding the Body Solutions
lawsuit is representative of how players
feel about the states motives - yet
the AG won't protect Texans against the acts of a state agency who IS
scamming the citizens of Texas to increase the states revenues ONLY.
Mr. Abbott was quoted as saying, "People who are misled
into thinking
they can lose weight while they sleep
are waking
up with a
snake oil hangover."
Huge lotto jackpots will do nothing more but
entice
players to spend more than most can afford. These
changes are guaranteed to fatten Texas' bank
account
at the sole expense of the majority of the people who
will suffer from "financial hangovers" the next morning.
Where's OUR consumer protection?
Lotteries have gone too far in their quest to increase sales.
I predict, if lotteries continue with their unfair business tactics, it
will only be a matter of time before lotteries are outlawed.
|
- The Proposed Plan - Incidentally, the players were receiving 55% of sales and they're lowering The proposed rule, as written, guarantees the TLC will |
||||
| Match From First 44 Ball Set |
Match From Second 44 Ball Set |
Estimated Pari-Mutuel Prizes (*Guaranteed Prizes) |
Players |
Example: Based on sales of $4 Million - winners would divide: (This is how much they would "allocate" for each prize category) |
| 5 | 1 | Jackpot Amount | 39.104% | $1,564,160 |
| 5 | 0 | $10,000 | .8996% | $35,983 |
| 4 | 1 | $2,000 | .8164% | $32,656 |
| 4 | 0 | $100 | 1.7524% | $70,096 |
| 3 | 1 | $100 | 1.5496% | $61,984 |
| 3 | 0 | *$5 | 3.3332% | *$133,328 |
| 2 | 1 | *$5 | .9568% | *$38,272 |
| 1 | 1 | *$3 |
2.5844% |
*$103,376 |
|
Total |
50.9964% | **$2,039,856 | ||
|
But ... |
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| * Guaranteed Prizes - This is the amount the TLC would set aside to pay those players and if all monies were not needed, then it's placed in reserve. ** The proposed rule says "the prize pool for Lotto Texas prizes shall be a minimum of 52% of Lotto Texas sales." Please note that these percentages do not equal 52% of sales. The $40,144 balance is placed in reserve - just in case they need it - and if they don't - then they keep it. As of 1-30-03, the reseve fund should have had $122,626,089 as this is the amount that has not been needed to pay players the "guaranteed prizes." Obviously, the TLC withheld more from sales than was ever needed to cover the 3 of 6 prizes - plus they withheld money for reserve - all from the players share of sales. This money belongs to the players but we'll never see it. The simple solution to this would be to offer straight "pari-mutuel" prizes but the TLC does not want to do this. After all, then they couldn't keep more than their share of sales! They advertise the games are "pari-mutuel," but that's only half true. To protect the citizens, we need for all online drawings to be treated as "independent events," and all prizes monies for each prize category should be paid out in full. This must include the "cents." The only money that the lottery should "carry-over" would be the big "jackpot prize money." Anything less than this, is unfair to the people.
|
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One last tidbit. The TLC says they put this plan before
fellow players in Dallas and Houston on Oct 29th and Oct 30th.
Since the TLC is planning to propose one of these plans, I suppose
that means the players liked what they saw! If any of you were present,
please call me. (972) 686-0660.
The first step IS for you to QUIT buying Lotto tickets NOW.
Trust me - the state understands loss of revenues first and foremost!
88 Ball Proposal - Feb 2003 - The Players Plan - Click here.
(This page contains links to all the related pages.)
The Lotto Report
Dawn Nettles
P. O. Box 495033
Garland, Texas 75049-5033
(972) 686-0660
(972) 681-1048 Fax
lottoreport@lottoreport.com