Maryland Lottery machine glitches frustrate players

Comment #13

loves2lotto — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 13:02:15 GMT

I have that problem here in NC. A couple of places that I have went to and played powerball at have really snotty cashiers. They do act like you are bothering them. If the stores didn't want people to play the lottery then they wouldn't be selling tickets. It really is bad because those are the places within 5 minutes of where I live. I have to find somewhere else to go to. Nice lottery hospitality is the only thing I miss about Indiana.

P.S.

I think they are mad because have of them don... [ More ]

Comment #12

Litebets27 — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 12:44:05 GMT

I'm an avid player that uses the multi pick cards to place my lottery picks each day. I don't understand why the company would issue cards that have (straight box) selection on it but, the machine will not take it. Also, you cannot get advance play on the MegaMillion unless you use the cards.

I frequently play lottery at a store, like all of the others, is experiencing long down times and problems with their machines. But the owners will hold your cards or lists and play your numbers when the... [ More ]

Comment #11

mrmst — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 11:35:47 GMT

Thermal paper technology is pretty old. The company I work for put out it's first microprocessor computer in 1980 and it had a small printer that printed on a roll of thermal paper. That paper was so sensitive that if you rubbed your finger nail hard and fast across it - there was enough heat produced by the friction to draw a line! I tried that with the current Maryland lottery ticket paper and nothing happened. I guess there were some improvements made in the last 26 years.

Comment #10

justxploring — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 04:34:11 GMT

The Florida Lottery has this section below on the newer thermal paper tickets. I'm sure they won't mind if I copy it here. BTW, look on the home page. They have a poll asking how gas prices affect buying lottery tickets. Wonder if someone at the Florida Lottery reads Lottery Post!

How To Care For Your Ticket

Keep your Florida Lottery tickets cool and dry. The Florida Lottery s new On-line game tickets are now printed on a high quality thermal paper that will not fade when exposed to... [ More ]

Comment #9

four4me — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 22:21:24 GMT

Yea to bad the gamble with schwab is ten times worse than playing the lottery. so is the return.

I'll stick with 500 to one and 5000 to one.

the only people who benefit from stocks are the brokers even if you lay down big bucks. before I'll let the brokers have my losses. i keep working the lottery.

I sent the writer of the article a strong letter about John Christopoulos (sheep remark) if he doesn't like his loyal lottery players maybe he should turn in his machine to someone who wants... [ More ]

Comment #8

CASH Only — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 21:56:08 GMT

I meant to say TICKET, not machine. I've never heard of thermal paper, but I know what it is.

Comment #7

chasingadream — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 21:09:30 GMT

Oh My Goodness......I never realized that. I just tried it with one of my tickets and it did change colors to black......I have an old Tennessee ticket and the same thing happened to it also.....I could have fainted I will never leave another lottery ticket in the car

Comment #6

dvdiva — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 19:31:12 GMT

I would like to see him call Charles Schwab and tell them he has $5 to invest. I'm sure they could tell him exactly where to put that $5.

Comment #5

JimmySand9 — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 19:27:56 GMT

It's not the machine that's sensitive too heat, it's the ticket. It's printed on thermal paper.

And it is the machine used in Oklahoma, it's called the Extrema. It's also used in SC, ME, NH, VT, IA, and CO.

Comment #4

CASH Only — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 17:17:15 GMT

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe Oklahoma's new lottery has that type of machine.

About the new machines sensitive to heat-this is the era of Global Warming.

Comment #3

rdc137 — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 17:17:02 GMT

Perhaps after reading that many of his customers will do just that...

Comment #2

bellyache — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 17:09:36 GMT

"You should see the looks on their faces," said John Christopoulos, an owner of Christo's Discount Liquors in Ferndale. "You should see these people. They're like sheep. They have to have their fix. They should call Charles Schwab and invest their money."

I thought that comment made in the article was kind of rude. The guy doesn't seem to mind selling tickets and taking these "sheeps" money.

Comment #1

mrmst — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 15:40:38 GMT

The liquor store where I usually buy my Mega Millions tickets has had the new machine in place for about 2 weeks. I have not seen any problems - but then again I don't go there everyday for pick3/pick4/keno. One interesting note is that the tickets are now thermally printed instead of with ink. In fact there is a warning on the reverse about them being sensitive to heat. I checked out on a loser ticket with a cigarette lighter - yup, turns black right away as soon as the flame gets anwhere c... [ More ]

Maryland Lottery machine glitches frustrate players

Lottery Post — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 11:12:01 GMT

New system suffers long breakdowns, customers complain

A new lottery sales system being installed at thousands of convenience, liquor and grocery stores statewide has experienced breakdowns of up to several hours at a time this week, Maryland Lottery officials said Friday. Store owners and avid players in search of their daily numbers were frustrated and furious.

Customers have let store owners hear their displeasure especially those who can't play the popular Keno game.

You should s... [ More ]