“Serving as a drawing show witness is more than just a chance to be on TV; witnesses represent the public interest by helping to ensure the security and integrity of our drawings,” said Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko. “We sincerely appreciate the participation of all of our witnesses since we started televising drawings 38 years ago.”
Pennsylvania residents 55 or older are invited to volunteer. Witnesses perform different functions on two consecutive evenings, which includes appearing on-camera on one of the nights. The process lasts approximately 2.5 hours, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., each night.
Witnesses work with two Pennsylvania Lottery drawing officials, who will directly perform all drawing tasks, and two independent Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), who will monitor all tasks to ensure that all procedures are properly performed and security standards are met.
Over the two nights, witnesses directly participate in the selection of the drawing machines and ball sets used for drawings, observe all pre-drawing and post-drawing tests and appear on-camera during the live televised drawing show.
Drawings take place at the studios of WITF-TV in Harrisburg. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation and, if necessary, lodging. Scheduling is usually conducted a month or more in advance.
“Our witnesses tell us that they enjoy being part of the process and are greatly impressed with the degree of careful work that goes into making sure drawings are conducted fairly and with integrity,” Svitko added.
Visit www.palottery.com and look under “About Us” and “Become a PA Lottery Drawing Show Witness” to find an email address and phone number to learn more about the opportunity.
The 6:59 p.m. drawing show is carried by the following television stations: WJET, Erie; WGAL, Lancaster; WTAJ, Altoona; WNEP, Scranton; WTXF, Philadelphia; and WPXI, Pittsburgh.
The evening drawing includes all PICK games and Cash 5, seven nights a week. It also features the Match 6 Lotto drawing on Mondays and Thursdays.
In addition to watching the drawing show to find out winning numbers, players may visit palottery.com, use the Lottery’s official smartphone app or call the toll-free results hotline, 1-877-282-4639. Players should be sure to check every ticket, every time, using a scanner at a Lottery retailer.