[the_svd_doctor]

Before, multiple companies could register the same person for the lottery, therefore increasing the odds for said person.

This is now no longer possible.

Why it took so long to implement this rule is a mystery though. Seems like such an obvious loophole.

[Zedseayou]

It used to be much more expensive to make an H1B petition so this strategy was not viable. Then they made it way cheaper, leading to the mass applications.