Here’s an interesting question we got on Facebook in case you’ve ever wondered the same thing. A man named Travis had this question: “If a computer randomly picks the winning numbers for lottery games, how are you then able to draw the same numbers with the balls on live TV?”
It’s an interesting – but mistaken – idea that we don’t think we've been asked about before. The quick answer is that the results in lottery drawings are determined by ball-drawing equipment or computerized random-number generator equipment, but not both.
The drawings in Powerball® and Mega Millions®, as you likely know, are conducted live on television using ball-drawing machines. The drawings in some of our other games, such as Pick 3 and Pick 4, and our VIP Club drawings, are conducted using random-number generators.
It’s an either/or equation, but not both. Both types of equipment have their own pluses and minuses. The key factor is to have the necessary security controls to protect the integrity of the games, and that is something we’re constantly working on as technology advances.
So, it’s one or the other, but not both. Great question!
That's a fascinating question - it never even occurred to me that people would think that ball draws would be determined by computer behind the scenes! Personally I love and prefer the ball based games - but then I'm an old timer with an inherent mistrust of those new fangled computers ;-)
Posted by: Mark | June 08, 2016 at 08:47 PM