A human reporting error caused the winning numbers for last night’s Lucky for Life drawing to initially be reported incorrectly here in Iowa and then delayed the drawing results in the state entirely for several hours.
We were able to correctly enter the official drawing results this evening and have resumed paying prizes from that drawing.
The Lucky for Life drawing was conducted correctly as scheduled last night and official results were produced. But our redundant reporting procedures here in Iowa failed after the drawing. It takes time to correct an error like that on our statewide gaming system. We worked through those complexities as quickly as possible. We know that as long as human beings are involved in any process, mistakes can happen. But we sincerely apologize for today’s interruption.
We are reviewing our procedures with an eye toward improvements and enhancements as we move ahead. And, we want to hear from any Iowa Lottery players who have questions or concerns about this situation. We’ll be glad to help.
The mistake impacted only the Iowa Lottery’s reporting of the official results for last night’s Lucky for Life drawing. All other lottery tickets could be purchased, checked and cashed as usual at lottery terminals across the state and the results for all other lottery drawings were recorded correctly here in Iowa.
The CORRECT winning numbers in last night’s Lucky for Life drawing were: 10-15-21-23-34 and Lucky Ball 1. That is the winning combination for which we'll pay prizes.
As part of our procedures, two different people in two different locations both enter the results from lotto drawings before they are officially recorded on the lottery’s statewide gaming system that connects the lottery terminals in retail locations all across the state. But when the winning numbers from last night’s Lucky for Life drawing were being inputted, one of the numbers was mistakenly entered as “24” rather than “34.”
The incorrect results were available about 10 p.m. yesterday. Lottery staffers noticed the error shortly after 7 a.m. today, corrected the drawing results on the lottery’s website and disabled the results for the drawing on lottery terminals, knowing that correcting the lottery’s statewide gaming system would take longer. We continued to work through the situation today and were able to go live with corrected official results about 6 p.m. tonight.
Our records show that a total of 3,318 Lucky for Life plays here in Iowa won prizes ranging from $3 up to $200, for a total of $17,672 in winnings in last night’s drawing. Under the incorrect results initially reported, 96 plays would have won differing amounts for a total difference of $223 in prizes.
We know that the number of folks potentially impacted by the situation is small, but we also want to hear from anyone who may have a question or concern. Any player with a Lucky for Life ticket from last night’s drawing can now check and cash the tickets with the official numbers drawn.
Hello, and I'm sorry that you're not happy with our lottery games here in Iowa. We worked to address the issue with this particular Lucky for Life drawing as soon as the mistake was discovered. We have done our best to be transparent about the incident and explain what occurred and what we have learned from it. You are absolutely correct that playing the lottery is optional and buying a ticket -- or not buying a ticket -- is completely up to you.
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | December 29, 2016 at 09:09 AM
In case you guys are also wondering, I played the all or nothing game this summer. Won 1000. After that draw, this lottery game changed the web site, now you can't win. I very played for over 30 years, not even a win to speak about.
Rigged system.
P S iowa just announce a huge win fall 2016. Well ya. That's our money we donated to loosing tickets
Posted by: Saabdu2001 | December 28, 2016 at 06:32 PM
You guys are right, check out the Illinois lottery changing the way you win after the drawing. Canceling payouts. Like the Donald says it is a rigged system.
Posted by: Saabdu2001 | December 28, 2016 at 06:26 PM
Hi, Jane. The numbers on our website were incorrect during the overnight hours following the drawing. The website was corrected by about 8 a.m. the morning after the drawing, so if you checked the website after that time, the details were correct. If you have a concern about the ticket that you threw away, our Security Division will be glad to help review the details involved. If you would like assistance from our Security folks, please call 515-725-7900 and ask for the Security Division.
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | December 28, 2016 at 10:02 AM
Hi, Marie. Prizes of less than $600 can be paid at retail locations where lottery tickets are sold, provided that the store has cash on hand. In most instances, it is not an issue, and you should be able to claim your prize from a lottery retailer. But if you ever have questions, you can always send your ticket to us here at the lottery or stop by one of our offices and we'll be glad to help.
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | December 28, 2016 at 09:57 AM