As of March 30, 2012, six games are listed left to right, not by recent date in the order they were picked, but by popularity of games and higher amount winnings. Left to right is how most people, in this country, read.
For an inexperienced, poor, hope filled, excited to play, lottery game player, using the Internet, the listing of the first three games left to right on the site, can be confusing and disappointing, possibly perceived as deceptive, and making one feel like a Bitter ‘Sucker’ at the end, once they find out after the fact. More and more people are choosing to use the Internet to look up information fast.
NOTE: Play responsibly. Don’t go over board! Know when to stop. If you suspect you have a problem
call: 1-800-Gambler, the Compulsive Gambling Help Line.
call: 1-800-Gambler, the Compulsive Gambling Help Line.
For example:
Nebraska Powerball (logo)
Jackpot*for 3/31/2012
$60 Million
11 16 29 50 58
PB: 33
Nebraska Mega Millions (logo)
Jackpot* for 3/30/2012
$540 Million
09 19 34 55 51
MB: 24 MP: 3
Pick 5 (logo)
Jackpot* for 3/30/2012
$62,000
03 27 31 35 37
The last three games do not list amounts. They list the numbers chosen and a date in the most recent past when numbers were chosen.
Asterisk (*) next to text usually means it links to more information, usually found as a note at the bottom of pages.
The first three games list:
- The last numbers drawn with no previous date of reference near the numbers of which game they were chosen form.
- The only date you see at first glance is a date in the future near the current jackpot amount and near the numbers of the last game picked.
- The link to the website is only programmed in the logo above the text, not the entire information box containing the data.
- Not everyone knows to click for more information to read pages of info to be informed on how to play.
- We got excited when watching those 15 to 30 second radio and tv spots telling us how big the pot amount is.
The deceptive illusion this may create:
- The winning numbers for the next game have already been picked and here they are.
- We’re just waiting for someone to claim it by the date listed.
- You can still buy a lottery ticket with those numbers. You know the numbers now, so go ahead and buy a ticket with those numbers.
- Don’t bother buying a ticket, we’ve already chosen the numbers.
- We’re leaving it up to the retail lottery clerk to tell the consumer or catch the error, in the mad rush lines.
- Don’t be upset with us, it says on the ticket in fine print “check your tickets before leaving the payment desk.”
- But yes, we know, you got the information on the ticket after you bought the ticket and it may take you two hours to read it all and understand it.
- Plus, we have alot more legal terms on our website, that will take you longer to read and understand and you might need to hire a lawyer to interpret it.
What you see along the way to find out about that Asterisk Note:
- ADS enticing you to play more games
- More ways to gamble
- Encouragement to joint a MVP club for free so you can be informed of more ways to gamble
- First announcement:
- “ Know the signs of gambling…”
- ”March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month”
- At the end of March, they are promoting one of the biggest lottery pots. Are they banking on this month knowing it’s the problem month?
- No listing there of 1-800 gambling phone number.
- Phone number is back up to the top right corner, in small print on each page.
Toward the right of the “Know the signs of gambling” announcement:
- Do you have a PayPal account Poll.
- According to PayPal’s Acceptable Use Policy under Prohibited Activities, section 6, Lottery gambling is not acceptable use. https://cms.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?cmd=_render-content&content_ID=ua/AcceptableUse_full
- Are they talking to PayPal to be an exception so they can receive payment for online ticket sales?
- Are they promoting PayPal as one of PayPal’s headquarters is listed here, including a fraud department?
- Will they be an exception to PayPal’s rules and fees, as this kind of gambling goes back into the state toward state support?
Listing of winners:
- Their first and last names.
- How much they won.
- What city they won, which means they may live there.
- Where they bought their ticket, most likely in their neighborhood.
- When they won in the last month.
- Many of us know it takes time to cash a check that big and you can’t move without money.
- They even post pictures of people who won with the check and publish on another website with their full names, amount and city.
Last announcement, right above the asterisk fine print bottom of the page disclaimer note with heading:
Official Nebraska State Government Home Page:
Official Nebraska State Government Home Page:
Last announcement after listing the winner’s names:
o “Ignore Scams, Contact Authorities; Consumer Protection Tips Offered.”
o First line says: “Assorted scam artists are trying to take advantage of the unsuspecting.”
o Click to read further, next page toward bottom:
“If you buy a foreign lottery ticket, you may land on a “suckers list” that crooks trade.”
“If you buy a foreign lottery ticket, you may land on a “suckers list” that crooks trade.”
Who is putting Who on the Suckers List?
Wait a minute, wouldn’t crooks and scam artist be able to look at the list posted on this site to find out some personal information about winners. Even another link on another page: Winners and Numbers, showing pictures of them with their name, how much they won, and in what town.
Back to the fine print at the bottom. Wow! That was a lot of distraction and overload of content, to make me hopefully forget why I had to go to the bottom to look up what that asterisk means.
Bottom Page Disclaimer Asterisk note: (As of 3/30/2012)
· …personal use only and may not be reproduced or distributed without the expressed consent of the NE Lottery.
What? This is a publicly accessible website online. What if I share the website link with my friends and family, just in case, I want to show off my picture of me winning a big check and the numbers chosen?
· ….Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but the NE Lottery cannot guarantee the Information displayed here.
What? Can’t guarantee the information displayed? I’m checking to see if I won and told I might not? What emotional roller coaster am I on? Why would they post inaccurate info and especially about someone’s potential money? They bought a ticket, Nebraska collected the money, I’m sure the purchaser really would like to know if they won.
· Contact the Nebraska Lottery ….for actual winning numbers.
That’s what people are doing. I’m going to the Official Nebraska lottery web site for the actual winning numbers.
· In the event between the info contained…and the official winning numbers list, the latter shall prevail.
Now you tell me? In lawyer lingo disclaimer at the very bottom last sentence, that I had to go through all the distractions you were hoping I’d look at and forget why I should be looking here for a asterisk note, that the number and game I was checking that your company posted right away top left corner half, could be a mistake in content? Yet also contact you for the winning numbers?
How they make you feel like the “SUCKER”
How confusing, disappointing, deceptive, time consuming that now makes me feel like the “Sucker” they’re warning people and how they are taking advantage of the unsuspecting. Aren’t they an authority of knowledge of the Nebraska lottery?o “Ignore Scams, Contact Authorities; Consumer Protection Tips Offered.”
o First line says: “Assorted scam artists are trying to take advantage of the unsuspecting.”
o Stating don’t give out personal information, but the Lottery does it for you and says they can and you agree when you bought that ticket. Often times they may let the media know and it will be public record according to some of their other disclaimers.
If you go to the police authorities they may investigate:
· Did you Sign any release forms allowing the company to
expose you?
· How the criminal got your information.
· Advise you to protect your privacy.
· Change your contact information.
· Protect your assets.
· Don’t talk to the media to protect your privacy
Don’t get me wrong, with all the noticeable flaws on the website, I might still play and read the fine print on the back before making a purchase. Just play responsibly.
- Protect your privacy and demand companies take proactive actions to protect your privacy too.
- Let’s stop corporate America from using small fine print disclaimer excuses as bail outs for their negligence and failure to take action to protect the consumer or employer.
- Don't get suckered into the emotional appeals to convince you to sign something that you may regret later.
- Stand up and stop accepting their “redirecting blame to the consumer or employer for not educating themselves” excuses.
- The company reps are trained with inside knowledge and knowingly may use deceptive emotionally appealing manipulative methods or
- Fail to disclose the risk clearly, other than fine print, to get a sale in this economy.
NOTE: Play responsibly. Don’t go over board! Know when to stop. If you suspect you have a problem call: 1-800-Gambler, the Compulsive Gambling Help Line.
*Please note, content on websites, disclaimers, in print, in company policies can change at any time with or without adequate notice to the consumer. Be weary companies can and do this. The more we speak about the higher the possibility things can change!
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