Turkey’s national lottery hit by cheating claims over ‘hidden man’ footage
ISTANBUL
Turkey’s National Lottery Directorate has defended itself after claims of cheating went viral on social media accompanied by a video in which a man was seen “hiding” behind a ball machine.
The official body’s drawing on Oct. 9 had raised some eyebrows on social media after the footage was widely circulated online.
It was seen in the video that the Number 6 ball was prematurely taken by a female attendant, who was later warned by the male speaker that he “didn’t push the button” yet. After the attendant put the ball back, the same number then came out again as an unidentified man was seen kneeling behind the lottery ball machine.
The National Lottery Directorate denied claims of cheating with a statement on Dec. 20, stressing that the drawing was broadcast live and conducted according to the rules under the inspection of a public notary.
Turkey’s national lottery is hit by cheating claims over the ‘hidden man’ in this footage. Here is their response: https://t.co/ve1g0odUrM
— Hürriyet Daily News (@HDNER) 21 Aralık 2018
“Technical personnel were present at that spot to instantly intervene in case of a problem or malfunction with the ball machines,” the statement said, stressing that such a malfunction happened during the Oct. 9 drawing.
“Due to a failure in a coil, which is used to open the ball-collecting basket, a ball came out of the machine even though the button was not pressed yet. This drawing was instantly cancelled by the drawing committee and the notary, and the lottery continued after the ball was put back again. The fact that the same ball came out was completely a coincidence,” the statement added.
