Florida Lottery temporarily suspends daily drawings

Sep 10, 2017, 5:06 pm (14 comments)

Florida Lottery

An executive order issued Sunday by Gov. Rick Scott has temporarily suspended Florida Lottery drawings as Hurricane Irma bears down on the state.

Players who have already purchased lottery tickets are urged to hold on to them until daily makeup drawings can commence "as soon as possible after the potentially catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Irma have passed," Department of Lottery officials said.

"During this state of emergency, Governor Scott has made it clear that taking care of Florida's families is his top priority. We at the Florida Lottery share his passion and are doing all we can to ensure the community and our employees remain safe," Lottery Secretary Jim Poppell said in a press release.

The executive order also warned that Department of Lottery offices in Tallahassee may be closed due to the storm.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

gatorsrok

I'm sure another consideration was that ticket sales would be abysmal since everything here is closed.

Ron5995

While understandable with the storm track showing it possibly affecting Tallahassee, it doesn't inspire much confidence in Florida lottery operations.

Do any states have backup drawing centers? And/or partnering agreements with other states for emergency drawings? I know some states do partner up for regular drawings, so this is feasible and something Florida should consider for the future.

What's more worrisome is Powerball is also drawn in Florida. Fortunately, the next scheduled Powerball drawing isn't until Wednesday. But still makes one wonder how that would be handled. Would Powerball have been delayed too?...

Seems they should move  Powerball drawings to a location that's less vulnerable to storms and/or have a backup facility ready on standby.  For me, I'll be keeping a close eye on the Florida forecast before buying Powerball. Never thought I'd have to.

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

Ron5995,

Iowa used to use Illinois' Pick 3 and 4 numbers but now uses their own.

duckman's avatarduckman

The main reason was ticket sales and lack of places to buy tickets. The majority of places to buy tickets were closed today due to the storm. Publix, Winn Dixie, and other major chains were closed. Many of the convenience stores were either closed or closed early. Many areas were also evacuated or people were advised to stay home.

This storm just about covers the entire state. Stay safe everyone!

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by Coin Toss on Sep 10, 2017

Ron5995,

Iowa used to use Illinois' Pick 3 and 4 numbers but now uses their own.

Iowa has used the Indiana Pick 3 & Pick 4 results since July 1st.

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Sep 10, 2017

Iowa has used the Indiana Pick 3 & Pick 4 results since July 1st.

Thanks Todd, I didn't know they were doing that again.

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Quote: Originally posted by Coin Toss on Sep 11, 2017

Thanks Todd, I didn't know they were doing that again.

music*'s avatarmusic*

 Floridians are learning what priorities are the most important. There have been reports of neighbor helping neighbor. There has been good leadership before and during the Hurricane.

 What matters most in life!  God Bless!!

gocart1's avatargocart1

PRAYERS FOR FLORIDA ..US Flag

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Family in Tampa is fine, hope others are also !

OneTrickpony's avatarOneTrickpony

Roof is mostly gone, a lot of trees down, no electric - but family is fine near Cocoa Beach.

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by Ron5995 on Sep 10, 2017

While understandable with the storm track showing it possibly affecting Tallahassee, it doesn't inspire much confidence in Florida lottery operations.

Do any states have backup drawing centers? And/or partnering agreements with other states for emergency drawings? I know some states do partner up for regular drawings, so this is feasible and something Florida should consider for the future.

What's more worrisome is Powerball is also drawn in Florida. Fortunately, the next scheduled Powerball drawing isn't until Wednesday. But still makes one wonder how that would be handled. Would Powerball have been delayed too?...

Seems they should move  Powerball drawings to a location that's less vulnerable to storms and/or have a backup facility ready on standby.  For me, I'll be keeping a close eye on the Florida forecast before buying Powerball. Never thought I'd have to.

Good point, maybe they should use their Iowa office where drawings used to be held prior to Universal Studios in Florida.

Redd55

Of course, they have a backup plan.  In this case, I'm sure they have generators to operate the ping pong ball machine.  Saw lots of news outlets still broadcasting for a while after their power went out. I assume they had generators.  But lots of people will not be playing nor vendors selling this week bc they are trying to get their lives sorted out and no power. Texas & Florida are such big lottery states, I hate to see the jackpots cratering.  MM already has.  Now if a Cat 4 was hovering over Tallahassee, they would have the drawing held in another location. Too much money is involved for them not to have a backup plan. 

Rayj11011

They do need a back up plan on the 6 numbers, But, they don't need a back up for the

POWER PLAY BALL.  I am sure they pick it by hand, because there is no way that they can pick the number

2,  144 times out of 258 unless it is done by hand. The number 3 has be picked 82 times out of 258.

The number 4 has been picked 18 times out of 258 times. And the number 5 has been picked only 13 (The least) times out of 258 times.  Now how many of you good people have lost money when you won with power play and the power ball was the number 2!

If they can use the machines to pick the first 5 numbers and the 1 power ball, THEN why can't they use the machine to pick the power play on TV as well???  US FlagIt's only American for us to see what is picked!!!

End of comments
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