Lottery 'Security Issues' Known Months Before Game Shutdown

Months before Connecticut Lottery's 5 Card Cash game was suspended, lottery officials knew there was a "security issue" that eventually allowed the game to be rigged, according to a four-month investigation by the News8 Investigators.

5 Card Cash, an instant win game, was suspended on November 14, 2015, after it was discovered that retailers were using a flaw in the computer system to rig the game to buy only winning tickets. The problem was the printer, say state investigators. If retailers ordered 20 tickets, called a " repeat 20", and then looked at the computers' ticket history page, numbers of tickets would be displayed before actually printing. winning were printed losers canceled being purchased. 5 card cash started an impossible hot streak. Certain locations sold 65 to 80 percent winners, according to court records. Eight retailers are charged with rigging, computer crimes larceny. All cases still pending none have pleaded guilty. Investigators from department of consumer protection initially said they investigated  14 different lottery for exploiting security flaw but that number, in recent days, has added another 20 suspected using issue. More arrests expected. connecticut president CEO Anne noble told audit committee she learned possible manipulation october 2015, just weeks it's even suspension. records obtained by news 8 seem contradict statement, though.

On January 5 2015, Connecticut Lottery inspector lottery Kevin Wiggins noted a " security flaw" with 5 card cash. staff at trumbull gas station "gene's automotive" brought it to his attention. wiggins called lottery director of fred dupuis. 4:01 p.m., dupuis emailed back. "i received your [voicemail] and spoke [ct special investigator] bob balicki. we are looking into the matter determine if is all possible. thank you for bringing my attention so promptly," reads email. inspectors shared this image in january 2015. shows ticket numbers displayed before being printed email exchanges include a photo what retailers able see by using exploit. next day, senior staff, including president noble, meet. notes from that meeting show discussing but only action taken 10 months was communication software company scientific games. Game remained on market until its eventual suspension. time, allegedly used exploit take thousands ill-gotten winnings.Eight have now been arrested, charged rigging systems exploiting "repeat 20" flaw. charges still pending none yet pleaded guilty. court filings, increased winning percentage cash as high 70 percent certain locations. letter games, noble says shutting down five cost more than $4 million damages. told audit committee she found out about alleged october, not march, after news 8 first filed freedom information act request, said learned & emails. however, sent department consumer protection investigators, member writes issue &it's possible manipulation known "by field reps" months. when announced, investigation included 14 investigated rigging. number expanded week another 20, according statement dcp.

The Connecticut Lottery is more popular than ever. This year, it is bringing in more than $330 million and that is expected to go up next year. Steve Dargan chairs the House Chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee. He says the security and integrity of lottery games are imperative. " the appropriate response would be to close game down do an audit review," said dargan. "see if there is any criminal activity." Tom Catanzaro was a connecticut lottery financial analyst former in 2014 when 5 card cash first came online. he prudent decision have been freeze figure out manipulation happening. "not knowing whether retailer could manipulate that for their benefit or other reason, thing pull immediately," catanzaro. noble not agree on record interview. she pointed ongoing dispute with scientific games over shutdown. offer comment, either, only stating they are cooperating states investigation.