Powerball Rigging Scandal Resurfaces as Jackpot Rise to $1.3 Billion

The Powerball jackpot is now at $1.3 billion. This is the largest amount ever offered on one game and it has the nation in an uproar. For the first time, the Lottery Association could hand over someone a billion dollar check.

The thought of becoming an instant billionaire flabbergasted thousands on Saturday night when not a single ticket matched all six Powerball numbers. The record-breaking jackpot of $900 million couldn’t produce not one winner. Now, with a billion dollars up for grabs, many are focusing on a story that broke late last year about a five year investigation involving the Lottery Association.

In 2015, former security director for the Multi-State Lottery Association, Edward Tipton, was sentenced to 10 years for fraud. Investigations say Tipton rigged the lottery out of millions over a span of 9 years (since 2005). He would secure the winning ticket by installing a self-destructing software on lottery computers. Tipton’s plan worked in Colorado, Wisconsin, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Des Moines, Iowa, which is where he won the Hot Lotto’s $16.5 million jackpot. Suspicions of the who the actual winner grew as several individuals came forward to claim the prize.

Since being convicted, Tipton denies the allegations. Investigators also placed Charles Strutt, the Multi-State’s executive director, on indefinite administration leave. Strutt has been the key overseer of the Powerball since its inception.

Lottery players, despite the scandal, still have high hopes on winning.

Question is…if investigators unveil an bigger problem at the Lottery Association, will they pay back the money spent on lottery tickets by everyday individuals??