Mega Millions host calls wrong winning number during broadcast

May 13, 2022, 8:28 am (61 comments)

Mega Millions

Strangely, New York pays out some prizes that matched wrong number

We all make mistakes, but for a host of the Mega Millions lottery, it's a potentially costly one: Prize payments for some Mega Millions tickets have been temporarily suspended after host John Crow incorrectly read the Mega Ball number during Tuesday's lottery drawing.

The first five numbers were called correctly: 15, 19, 20, 61 and 70. But as the gold Mega Ball, was selected, the number 9 — with a line drawn under it — could be seen on the ball. Crow called it as 6, as seen in a video posted online.

The original live video can be viewed on USA Mega's Mega Millions Drawing Detail page.

Later, the Mega Millions group replaced the official video on their website with one featuring an embedded caption explaining the mishap.

"The 9 ball was drawn in the chamber and is the official result," the caption states, adding the correct results have been audited by the accounting firm Preston CPA. "We apologize for the confusion."

Tuesday's estimated Mega Millions annuitized jackpot was $86 million, and there was no winning ticket. But there are five other prizes for having the correct Mega Ball number.

Mega Millions, except in California, pays $2 prizes for tickets where the holder matches only the gold ball number and $4 when the ticket has the gold ball and one other correct number (among the white balls). Matching two, three and four white balls and the gold balls also yield prizes of $10, $200 and $10,000, respectively.

But some people in New York who had the No. 6 Mega Ball were paid out, according to the lottery officials there.

"Due to human error relating to the May 10, 2022 Mega Millions draw, the New York Lottery paid a total of $5,538 to players who presented tickets with the incorrect winning number to retailers before approximately 10 a.m. on May 11," the organization said in a statement. "This payment was recouped automatically via a Lottery account for uncashed tickets. There is no impact on aid to education or taxpayer funds."

After a pause in payouts, New York Lottery officials said they have resumed Mega Millions prize disbursements at retailers.

"We will provide additional information as to when tickets may be cashed at New York Lottery Customer Service Centers and video lottery facilities," the organization said.

The estimated jackpot for Friday's Mega Millions drawing is $99 million (cash option of $57 million). Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands.

CNN, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Raven62's avatarRaven62

All's Well That Ends Well for Everyone that had a MB-9 or a MB-6!

Bleudog101

Thanks for posting...appreciate it!!

 

Read the article two times and was thinking so what if the wrong Megaball was called?   Someone in NY still could have hit for a million with the five #'s, as well as the other secondary prizes.  Of course the article didn't mention that and any bettors out there think I could be on to something?   Look @ MM payout matrix!

 

Seriously though, the scanners that scanned the tickets paid out the correct amount IMHO.  Computer could care less if it was called out incorrectly...it's all in the barcode.

Big Joey

Legally, morally, ethically, the announcer said six instead of nine, so both Megaballs should be paid out for all wins.

Tony Numbers's avatarTony Numbers

Well lookie here, we just learned a dirty little secret. The lottery will recoup the money that was incorrectly paid out from the uncashed tickets fund. HUH!!! They also tell us the money goes to education, that's why we're flush with geniuses.

Tony Numbers's avatarTony Numbers

Wait a minute hold on, they paid out on a number that the host called incorrectly, that means whoever input the result didn't verify that the machine drew the NINE instead of the SIX. How much are they paying these auditors, and data entry technicians???

river26

  9  and  six should have  been  a  priority read  before  and  double check it before  announcement of  number  what  mellenial  stupid  fools  no  excuse  here  fire him

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

Coulda, woulda, shoulda...let all those who have never ever made a mistake in their lives stone him and boil him in oil. 

cottoneyedjoe

Yoo-hoo, Stat$talker, where are you?  Can't wait to read his take that it's brazen cheating to dodge his numbers to keep him from bankrupting the lottery. Lurking

Bleudog101

Pulled up MM winners from that drawing, encourage LP members to do the same.   Plenty of secondary/lower tier prizes without the Megaball.

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by Big Joey on May 13, 2022

Legally, morally, ethically, the announcer said six instead of nine, so both Megaballs should be paid out for all wins.

Legally? How so?

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by Tony Numbers on May 13, 2022

Wait a minute hold on, they paid out on a number that the host called incorrectly, that means whoever input the result didn't verify that the machine drew the NINE instead of the SIX. How much are they paying these auditors, and data entry technicians???

Exactly. That is the big issue. No verification of the input and no oversight???

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

When I watched the video, I could see the line under the 9 on the ball indicating the number drawn was indeed 9. Doesn't matter what the announcer said, the ball drawn was 9. 

Tickets with megaball 6 don't have the correct megaball number.

Tony Numbers's avatarTony Numbers

I gotta start scanning my losing tickets b4 tossing them. The entry clerk is a little shaky

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

Yes Nod  I was thinking the same thing. 

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by rcbbuckeye on May 13, 2022

When I watched the video, I could see the line under the 9 on the ball indicating the number drawn was indeed 9. Doesn't matter what the announcer said, the ball drawn was 9. 

Tickets with megaball 6 don't have the correct megaball number.

Thank you...I should have said the same thing in your last sentence.   Sure NY paid out some token change on folks, but it is irrelevant. Not correct Megaball # no matter what.

Stat$talker's avatarStat$talker

Quote: Originally posted by cottoneyedjoe on May 13, 2022

Yoo-hoo, Stat$talker, where are you?  Can't wait to read his take that it's brazen cheating to dodge his numbers to keep him from bankrupting the lottery. Lurking

Wink ..Ya just couldn't pass up da opportunity ta poke at da Beast huh Joe?..

Had I played?, Probability Math would've assured I'da had da right Megaball, no matter whut he said.!

But in my honest opinion..MUSL should buy Crow some glasses, or borrow YOs Thumbs Up..wit all dat profit they're makin..so everybody can...

            " PLAY ON AMERICA " LOL

 

-Stat$talker 

Stat$talker's avatarStat$talker

Quote: Originally posted by rcbbuckeye on May 13, 2022

When I watched the video, I could see the line under the 9 on the ball indicating the number drawn was indeed 9. Doesn't matter what the announcer said, the ball drawn was 9. 

Tickets with megaball 6 don't have the correct megaball number.

"I could see the line under the 9 on the ball indicating the number drawn was indeed 9."

Shocked Really?...but you couldn't see dat BIG SIGN dat said Savannah, Texez  on Hwy 380?...Blue Thinking GIT REAAL..!! You're bout az blind az a BAT, wit a paper bag ova it'z head..!! Green laugh

Cottoneyedjoe knew xactly whea it wuz.. dat'z whea he'z frum..!  LOL

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

The line under the 9 is there poophead.

Has nothing to do with any Savannah, ya poophead, with poop for brains.

Dang, what an idiot you keep showing yourself to be.

BTW, Cottoneyedjoe, who has more brains in his little finger than you ever will have in your head (as proven by how you spell) is in California.

Big Joey

Quote: Originally posted by Artist77 on May 13, 2022

Legally? How so?

 Because six was announced. Both six, and nine have to be paid out.

 

 Most of the time, I watch the drawings live, and listen to the balls called out, I don't stare at the drums, I listen, and discard my ticket afterwards if I didn't win as the numbers were announced.

wander73's avatarwander73

What's the big deal here?

wander73's avatarwander73

Quote: Originally posted by Big Joey on May 13, 2022

 Because six was announced. Both six, and nine have to be paid out.

 

 Most of the time, I watch the drawings live, and listen to the balls called out, I don't stare at the drums, I listen, and discard my ticket afterwards if I didn't win as the numbers were announced.

They will do whatever they want and people are still gonna bitch moan and complain about it.

wander73's avatarwander73

The casinos can do the same thing and not have to pay out anything.

wander73's avatarwander73

Quote: Originally posted by Big Joey on May 13, 2022

Legally, morally, ethically, the announcer said six instead of nine, so both Megaballs should be paid out for all wins.

It could have been fixed.  Too bad ,  they're going to keep making money

wander73's avatarwander73

Quote: Originally posted by Artist77 on May 13, 2022

Legally? How so?

Ty,  In the past ,we haven't got along for certain things , but I second you .why are people making such a big stink about this?

viceroy2's avatarviceroy2

Dear $tat$talker:

I'm so sorry for interrupting, but, I couldn't help but notice the footer to your message, and all I can think for now, is....

"The-e-e-e-e-e-e-re's Kling-ons on the Star-board Bound, Star-board Bound, Star-board Bound. 
There's Kling-ons on the Star-board, Star-Board Bound, Je-e-e-e-e-im!"

So, now my entire Lotto Experience is worse than that, it's Dead Jim, Dead Jim, Dead Jim. It's Worse than that, it's Dead Jim, Dead Jim, DEAD....

But Strangely I'm STILL.... BOLDLY..... GOING FORWARD..... BECAUSE..... I can't FIND..... REVERSE.... AT ALL..... and neither can Mr. SCOTT!

When he told me he took out REVERSE, because....  he couldn't change the laws of Physics....

I hurled all my rolls of Romulan Toilet Paper at him....

(I know! Wrong Movie, But I had to do....Something, because .... It was completely LOGICAL at the time!)

And now I'm completely out of toilet paper.... 

And Spock has to take this incredibly wicked .... uhm .... Pon - Pharr! 

And there's only ONE BATHROOM on this Shippy little Ship!

And the Line to it goes all the way back toward 10 Forward.... 

Boy if that's how the Red Shirts have to spend their free time.... No wonder they all volunteer to be the lucky one to get off-ed in every show!  What a miserable experience!

Poor Mr. Spock!  I can tell he's under duress! 

The points on his pointy ears are... wilting...

and he's starting to look like Dobby from Harry Potter!

Look!  He's looking around for a second sock to match the first one he got! 

He has to go .... in STEREO!

That makes me want to ask McCoy.... 

Do Vulcans really have two A........... 

Uhm.... well.....

I know Rigellians MIGHT have two,

Denebian Slime Devils And Corellian Nerf-Herders definitely do....

but ...about Vulcans?!

It was never really discussed!

Stat$talker's avatarStat$talker

Quote: Originally posted by rcbbuckeye on May 13, 2022

The line under the 9 is there poophead.

Has nothing to do with any Savannah, ya poophead, with poop for brains.

Dang, what an idiot you keep showing yourself to be.

BTW, Cottoneyedjoe, who has more brains in his little finger than you ever will have in your head (as proven by how you spell) is in California.

"BTW, Cottoneyedjoe, who has more brains in his little finger than you ever will have in your head (as proven by how you spell) is in California."

I didn't say that'z whea He IZ, I said that'z whea He'z FRUM...I told you..you're Blind "Poophead"..!! LOL and az usual,.. Wrong Again Clown BoZo..!!

Az for the video?,.. Maybe it wuz supposed to've been "6", but the Video Techz No No  didn't git da memo, that it wuz...az the Videoz may be PRE-RECORDED.and played the wrong Megaball video..!!  Wink

 

-Stat$talker 

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

Quote: Originally posted by Stat$talker on May 14, 2022

"BTW, Cottoneyedjoe, who has more brains in his little finger than you ever will have in your head (as proven by how you spell) is in California."

I didn't say that'z whea He IZ, I said that'z whea He'z FRUM...I told you..you're Blind "Poophead"..!! LOL and az usual,.. Wrong Again Clown BoZo..!!

Az for the video?,.. Maybe it wuz supposed to've been "6", but the Video Techz No No  didn't git da memo, that it wuz...az the Videoz may be PRE-RECORDED.and played the wrong Megaball video..!!  Wink

 

-Stat$talker 

Doesn't matter where he's from. I'm from Ohio. Irrelevant to the point.

As for it being pre-recorded and the video tech didn't get the memo (see how to spell), well, you manage to outdo yourself in showing stupid every time you post.

Anyway, it was an honest mistake, but there are some who twist it into a conspiracy.

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by Big Joey on May 13, 2022

 Because six was announced. Both six, and nine have to be paid out.

 

 Most of the time, I watch the drawings live, and listen to the balls called out, I don't stare at the drums, I listen, and discard my ticket afterwards if I didn't win as the numbers were announced.

The announcement of wrong numbers is not a legal issue and was a short lived error in the ordinary course of business. The tickets are bearer instruments. The lottery had no real obligation here. I bet they would not have volunteered to pay if a jp was won.

Stat$talker's avatarStat$talker

Quote: Originally posted by viceroy2 on May 14, 2022

Dear $tat$talker:

I'm so sorry for interrupting, but, I couldn't help but notice the footer to your message, and all I can think for now, is....

"The-e-e-e-e-e-e-re's Kling-ons on the Star-board Bound, Star-board Bound, Star-board Bound. 
There's Kling-ons on the Star-board, Star-Board Bound, Je-e-e-e-e-im!"

So, now my entire Lotto Experience is worse than that, it's Dead Jim, Dead Jim, Dead Jim. It's Worse than that, it's Dead Jim, Dead Jim, DEAD....

But Strangely I'm STILL.... BOLDLY..... GOING FORWARD..... BECAUSE..... I can't FIND..... REVERSE.... AT ALL..... and neither can Mr. SCOTT!

When he told me he took out REVERSE, because....  he couldn't change the laws of Physics....

I hurled all my rolls of Romulan Toilet Paper at him....

(I know! Wrong Movie, But I had to do....Something, because .... It was completely LOGICAL at the time!)

And now I'm completely out of toilet paper.... 

And Spock has to take this incredibly wicked .... uhm .... Pon - Pharr! 

And there's only ONE BATHROOM on this Shippy little Ship!

And the Line to it goes all the way back toward 10 Forward.... 

Boy if that's how the Red Shirts have to spend their free time.... No wonder they all volunteer to be the lucky one to get off-ed in every show!  What a miserable experience!

Poor Mr. Spock!  I can tell he's under duress! 

The points on his pointy ears are... wilting...

and he's starting to look like Dobby from Harry Potter!

Look!  He's looking around for a second sock to match the first one he got! 

He has to go .... in STEREO!

That makes me want to ask McCoy.... 

Do Vulcans really have two A........... 

Uhm.... well.....

I know Rigellians MIGHT have two,

Denebian Slime Devils And Corellian Nerf-Herders definitely do....

but ...about Vulcans?!

It was never really discussed!

                                 Wink

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