[dsl]

"Quick Pick" numbers are not generated at the store. Regardless of if you pick the numbers or let the computer do it, your request is sent in real time back to a lotto office where the real ticket is securely generated (with a TRNG if you so choose). The local terminal then receives a bitmap to print out.

[worried_citizen]

Do you have a source for this? I'm extremely curious. Random number generation is a fun problem.

[dsl]

It is based on my reverse engineering of a lottery terminal. I can't vouch for the quality of the RNG, as I alluded to in my previous comment, but the local RNG isn't used in any meaningful fashion.

I can point you in the direction of the MontaVista Linux distribution, which is what most of the terminals run.

[s73v3r]

Funny that they allow multiple people to pick the same numbers, then.

[PhantomGremlin]

Funny that they allow multiple people to pick the same numbers, then.

Why shouldn't they? It's to the lottery's benefit. Two reasons:

1) People are attached to "their" numbers, and would be very upset if you didn't let them pick exactly the ones they want. Alienated players equals lower participation.

2) There are more overlaps when people pick than when the computer picks. Which means that, each drawing, there is a lower probability of someone hitting the jackpot than if all numbers are distinct. Which means the money rolls over and the next drawing has a larger prize. Eventually the prize is $800 million and people get excited and buy even more tickets. It's even being discussed on HN.