Posted 18 new messages - March 2, 2002

I oppose the lottery considering 47.7 million-to-one odds for any game. It's a rip off, con game and I feel I would be stealing from my own customers if I sold it. Players do not play lotto to win $3 to $100, they dream of winning the jackpot and that's why they play the game.

My customers are angry and have stated they will quit and I don't blame them. My customers work hard for their money and have a hard time making it financially.

From a retailer standpoint, fewer jackpot winners means fewer retailer bonuses too. Has the cap been removed on the 1% bonus for selling a winning ticket? Big jackpots mean adding staff and increased payroll, theft of other products, and robberies are imminent putting our lives at risk. NO THANKS.

I'd much rather have a steady income from lottery sales than a surge every couple of months. Have you forgotten, we were promised more money for 6/54. None of us have seen an increase in lottery sales, but we have seen angry customers who no longer buy from us because they have no reason to shop at a convenience store. We're losing money, YOU are costing us customers.

Shame on you Texas, this plan is only good for the state and you know it. You are not only taking advantage of the people, but you are taking advantage of us retailers too. Wake up before we all tell you to get lost. (I'm deleting the name because of fear of retailation this retailer could encounter from the TLC and G-Tech. I know firsthand what it's like!)

Players - This is not the only message from retailers I have like this. When the TLC gets "positive" feedback from retailers who "supposedly" are in "favor" of this change, they are getting it from the corporate level and people in corporate have no idea what customers are saying to their clerks. They only hear the "sales pitch" from G-Tech and the TLC about how good this will be for them and that's why they'll tell the Commissioners they are in favor of the change.

To: lottoreport@lottoreport.com
Subject: Just talked to Tom Clowe...

I just had a 10 min phone conversation with Tom Clowe and he seemed to be a very concerned person about my comments. I think you should urge everyone to call him and voice their opinion.

He answered his phone personally and said that there will be a 30 day period for public comment. He did tell me that it was known that sales were higher with a 6/50 game and told me that it would not be impossible to have that game back. But, from what I could gather in his tone, they will first raise the odds and attempt to make the higher odds work.

I think you should urge everyone to boycott all games until we get what we want, no matter how high the jackpots climb. Because as long as people still spend $1 it is a dollar against our cause for a fair lottery.

I have been putting lottoreport flyers at all the little blue lotto booths at about 50 retailers in the North Houston/Spring/Woodlands area to bring more people to your site and raise awareness. We need to kick this thing in high gear and start walking the walk. We can easily get what we want if we just keep our money in our pockets. I have lost all urges to spend my hard earned money on a losing game and if everyone else did the same then we would have our 6/50 game back...Let me know what you think. Larry J, Houston

Commissioner Tom C. Clowe - (254) 751-0766
Commissioner Betsy Whitaker - (214) 754-9190
Commissioner James A. Cox - (512) 454-4399
Click here for their addresses

To: lottoreport <lottoreport@lottoreport.com >
Subject: Timing of CVO/annuity option

Dear Ms Nettles:

I'm trying to follow the progress of the TLC wanting to change Lotto Texas.

I don't think the CVO/annuity option, specifically, WHEN the choice is to be made, should be understated.

IMO, the insurance companies, etc which sell annuities to the TLC when someone wins a "non-cash" prize, would prefer the choice be made _when_ the tickets are bought, since almost everybody who gets to choose AFTER they win opt for CVO. (eg Powerball winners.)

Some lottery players in NY (whose cash/annuity rules for on-line games are the same as TX) still believe you win more if you choose annuity, or say they would want the annual payments, then they'll "worry about it after I win".

Companies which sell annuities obviously don't want winners to collect in lump sum (in fact, the Massachusetts 6/42 and 6/49 still _do_not_ have a CVO, although their Mega Millions winners can choose cash after they win).

Patrick D.

From Dawn - I feel compelled to say - Players, you do not get "more" money by chosing annual pay. The TLC takes the "real" amount you won and they invest it for you. You are "suppose" to receive "all" the interest earned from the investment, however, in some cases, I have an "educated reason" to suspect this is NOT true. (Note to past lottery winners ... you should check into this. If you want, you can call me and I WILL explain.)

By chosing CVO, you can control your own investments. The TLC would have you believe it's because of the IRS that they do not allow you to chose after you've won, but this is a bunch of baloney - according to the IRS which is a "federal" entity. This is just ONE more way the state can keep more than their share of lottery proceeds and ONE more way they are screwing Texans. (Pardon the french)

Since we have NO consumer protection, they are getting away with it.

To: "Dallas News, Editor" <Letterstoeditor@dallasnews.com>
Subject: Lottery

"It's the numbers, stupid!"

Someone has to convince the Lottery Commission that the reason the Lottery is failing is that the odds are too high! When they increased the number of balls to 54 it started down-hill. They expected to raise the jackpot by making it harder to win, but it has NOT worked! Marketing 101 says when the product isn't selling, you don't RAISE the price!

I represent a lottery pool of 20-25 people who have put thousands of dollars into the Lottery in the past, but we have not purchased a single ticket in the last year. The odds are over 25 million to one of winning. The population of the entire state of Texas is only 20.8 million. The Commission has received many letters requesting they improve the odds again. We would much rather see 10 winners split $4 million. If they would just reduce the number of balls to 46 the odds would drop to less than 10 million to one and the number of ticket sales would rise dramatically. Jim Ryan, Plano

To: <lottoreport@lottoreport.com >
Subject: Re: Harder to win - the intent - so we can't win

Thanks again Dawn, for keeping us updated on the efforts of the TLC to ruin the fun and hopes of millions of players. You are a shining example of the effect their greedy tricks can have on an enthusiastic player. You are our champion. Sincerely, David & Nickie C., Granbury

To: "Dawn Nettles" <lottoreport@lottoreport.com >
Subject: Pick3 Game & "The Plan"

I have been thinking about emailing you & just haven't done it. I was reminded as I checked the winning numbers in the day draw just now. I'm hoping that Don might be able to tell us when he thinks the time is right for us to play some triples. As many people I know do I'm not going to play them every day.I have never played the day game & I don't intend to. I would't mind playing the night game a few times if Don should feel that the time may be right.

I have offered my objection to "The Plan" via your website (which I would not want to be without). I appreciate all the time & effort you expend for us. THANKS. I also have printed out all the information and have a sign up sheet in place at a nearby retailers store and signatures are being obtained.

Please keep up the good work. Imogene

Subject: Houston Chronicle
To: lottoreport@lottoreport.com

Hello Dawn,

The Houston Chronicle is opposed to lotto change. See their editorial page for Feb. 6. I'd email a copy but don't know how! Bobby

To: <lottoreport@lottoreport.com >
Subject: What to do about Texas Lotto

Dawn:

I think your idea to boycott Texas Lotto is great! The alternative is to play Cash 5. The odds are better, the prizes are better and it still give us Lotto junkies something to do until this mess is addressed. It is interesting that Cloud is going to Colorado. Maybe she can be a dark shadow over the Rockies. Lowell M. Amarillo, Texas

To: <lottoreport@lottoreport.com >
Subject: Lotto changes

I invest from $20 to $50 per drawing twice weekly. This will come to a screaming halt if the lottery commission increases the odds against me. I will not offer even another dollar to the fund. What can I do to help stop them from going through with the change. Ken S.

To: <lottoreport@lottoreport.com >
Subject: Lotto Changes

Dawn, all of the players I know agree with you. What can we do to help? The Lottery directors are idiots. Nancy Coile

To: lottoreport@lottoreport.com
Subject: Class action lawsuit

Put me on your mailing list. I'd like to know when a class action lawsuit will start, if it hasn't already. I've just read most of what is on your website and I don't like what I see at all. Thanks. Mike

To: "Nettles, Dawn" <lottoreport@lottoreport.com >
Subject: Lotto

Dawn,
How about we send the commissioners an e-mail every time we DO NOT buy a lottery ticket? This would inundate them! Jim

To: "Dawn Nettles" <lottoreport@lottoreport.com >
Subject: RE: Lotto Petition

Hi Dawn! Thank you for sending me info. I will put it to good use. One place I have in mind is (name deleted). I have been a LOYAL shopper for a very long time. I am a homemaker since this economy has gone south with a little extra time. I just want to do my part for all of us “Suckers” that have been duped by the lottery. We desperately need a “voice” as well as consumer protection! Very Sincerely, Jodi S.

To: <lottoreport@lottoreport.com >
Subject: Texas Lottery

I feel ripped off by the Texas Lottery Commission. When it ruled that 4 additional balls were to be added (from 50 to 54), the commission lied to all Texas lotto players. At that time the commission justified the change by advertising to all Texans that the jackpots would be larger.

I respectfully request that the Texas Lottery Commission reduce the ball universe from 54 balls back to 50 balls. Please forward this e-mail to members of the Lottery Commission, I would appreciate a timely response.

Respectfully, Roger G. M., San Antonio

To: Dawn Nettles <lottoreport@lottoreport.com >
Subject: Annuity-only situations

Wouldn't you consider it "corruption" when a lottery automatically purchases an annuity for a winner without offering the winner a CVO?

Did you know the NY Lottery and Massachusetts Lottery are STILL annuity-only, even though Mega Millions winners in Mass. can choose CVO after claiming. MA also has quite a few "annuity-only" scratch tickets. The Texas Lottery, and others, are politically motivated.

Dawn:
I just finished reading the posted e mails from the retailer, I'm all for writing to the retailers at the corporate level but I don't know all the addresses or names.

I am trying to stop this highway robbery, so I am voting with my $$$$. I have already weaned myself from playing Cash 5, and I'm now working on the Lotto 6/54 game. Of course, if they go to 6/59 or any other variations of changing the game other than 6/50 it won't be hard for me to stop.

We appreciate all your efforts. L. Foster, Dallas

To: lottoreport@lottoreport.com
Subject: Proposed Changes

I think the proposed changes are ridiculous and are designed to squeeze more money from people who are playing for a dream, many of whom cannot afford to be playing in the first place. We believed the lottery would be a fun game and a nice prize for some lucky person, but now it has gotten to involve government greed and corruption and is no longer fun to play. Who can afford to keep chasing the dream? If the changes are made that have been proposed, we will no longer contribute to the Texas Lottery.

Prior to the addition of the 4 balls, we played $20 - 50 per game. After the 4 balls were added, we have only spent $5 -10 per game, never more. Make the game harder to win and I am sure others will drop out also. Ed & Deanna K., Houston,

Subject: harder games
To: lottoreport@lottoreport.com

Ms. Nettles

I have e-mailed the lottery commission, several times, stating how unhappy I am at making the top prize in the lotto game harder to win. Why play when it's harder to win? I still don't understand the reasoning they have. I suppose it makes them money.

I am one of many who will refuse to play lotto anymore if they change the game again. C.Wright, Carrollton

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