Thoughts on lottery

T

todalake

Member
Location
Iowa, USA
But the longer odds haven't been stopping people from buying tickets. In fact, the larger jackpots are just encouraging more sales. And Americans do love buying lottery tickets. They spent more than $80 billion on them in 2016. That's more than they spent on movies, video games, music, sports tickets and books -- combined.
 

todalake said:
But the longer odds haven't been stopping people from buying tickets. In fact, the larger jackpots are just encouraging more sales. And Americans do love buying lottery tickets. They spent more than $80 billion on them in 2016. That's more than they spent on movies, video games, music, sports tickets and books -- combined.
Click to expand...
Of course, Michael Anthony and the ilk will always be heoric.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 
To me it's like when I was a kid I LOVED looking at the Sears Christmas toy catalog. I would imagine that whatever page I opened I could have anything on those pages. I looked through that catalog until it was worn out. It was BETTER than any toy in it.
I love to plan out how I would manage my vast lottery winnings. It gives me enjoyment on a long drive. I rarely buy a ticket but I love the lottery fantasy.
 
I have great doubts that statistically I would be the winner of a lottery & I'll be darned if my money is gonna be part of the winners money--by way of putting money into the lottery in hopes of winning. (Unless I could be assured by the winner that they'd give me/pay back 100 times the amount of money that I contributed. lol
 
I look at it as a "voluntary tax". In this state, the profits go to the education budget...and I think that is the case in most states...helps keep things like Property taxes from increasing. I buy a ticket whenever I'm putting gas in the car, etc., but winning is just a 'pipe dream"
 
I buy a ticket to the lottery twice a week (drawing is twice a week). I saved change for years in my owl bank. It's been full for quite a while. I finally started emptying it to get enough for a ticket once for each drawing - won $5 once LOL. Will probably quit buying once the change is gone.
 
My Husband was going crazy for awhile buying tickets every day. Thankfully he realized he had to stop and he did.I think the fact that he never won anything was what made him stop.
 
I buy a ticket every now and then. For me it's entertainment, it's fun to dream about the things that I could do with all of that money if I won.

I also believe that the government sponsorship of the lottery is wrong, I don't believe that the government should be promoting gambling or games of chance. I have seen too many poor people spending a disproportionate amount of their income on lottery tickets as a possible way out of poverty. All things considered I think the lottery should be discontinued and I should find a new form of entertainment.
 
I think people sometimes make the mistake of always thinking of the possibility of winning millions. People get caught up in the talk about what they would do IF they won (millions). The odds are much better for winning lesser amounts - $250k, $50k, $10k, even $1,000 or $100.

I don't spend a lot on lottery tickets, and I almost never buy the scratch-offs. But I've won $1,000 several times and $100 many times - all for a $1 or $2 ticket.

My aunt won $5,000, and a former co-worker won $10,000.

I also think it's inaccurate to assume low-income people are more frequent lottery players. I used to get snacks at a little store downtown, and the clerks said lots of professionals spent lots of money on lottery tickets. Of course they don't admit it to their co-workers.

OTOH if someone is financially strapped and spending money on lottery tickets instead of paying their bills, that's a problem.
 
Last edited:
A few years ago I had the bright idea of getting everybody in my office to pool our money and buy lottery tickets when the jackpot was 500 million. I got stuck handling all of the 115 tickets and thought we had almost every number and were bound to have some winners. The drawing was held, and I examined every single ticket like a hotel maid searching for bedbugs. It took awhile.

All we won was two free plays and $2!!!!! So I spent the winnings on more tickets and you know I was just throwing that money away too.
 
For several years we've always purchased two Powerball and two Mega Millions tickets twice a week.....I know the odds are really stacked against us but some lucky person always wins and we darn sure aren't going to win unless we play.
 
I buy lotto and scratch-offs and I enjoy it. When I mention stopping my husband tells me that someone is going to win so it might be me. He says I never complain about the money he spends fishing so I might as well spend some too. I have fun and we do pay our bills. Also, it doesn't bother me in the lest to think that some $ I put out is going into someone else's pocket. I just hope they aren't filthy rich before they win.
 
I almost never play Powerball or Megamillions, but some of the lower level prizes would be sweet - $1M, $50k, $10k.....heck even $500 is a nice chunk for a $2 ticket.

But people get into such a frenzy about the huge jackpots - $400M, etc. I'm always glad to see a group of workers win (vs 1 or 2 people).
 
When I worked we had a pool and won every now and then small amounts. It was just fun for all of us. My daughter put scratch offs in my stocking this year nd I won $50.00 which shocked me. I am buying a ticket this week. For me its entertainment and fun. I don't spend money on entertainment much so I buy one sometimes. Its nice to think about the things you could do to help people with it. As for myself I would like a modest new home with a garden and a pond and greenhouse to raise my ferns and heirloom tomatoes. I don't need or want a big fancy house or expensive new car. As long as my car gets me where I want to go I am satisfied.
 
I buy a couple of lottery tickets every week and my family members do too. I won $20. last week and three this week. It's not a fortune, but it pays for itself and gives me a chance for perhaps winning some life changing bucks. You can't win if you don't play. :sentimental:
 
I buy mega millions and powerball tickets for every drawing. If you have a ticket you can dream about what you would do with all those millions of dollars. If you don't buy a ticket you don't have a dream. I can afford $8 a week to buy a dream.
 
When I was still working, I was always playing using the same numbers. After I retired, I stopped playing all the time. I guess I was ready to retired more than I realized.
 
jujube said:
I've played the same number since the lottery started in the 80's. I'm afraid to stop playing.....I just KNOW that the first time I don't get a ticket, my number will come up. I haven't had much luck; the occasional $5 and a couple of $65-$75 winners for having four numbers.
Click to expand...

That's exactly why I would never play the same #s. jujube, if you stop playing NEVER look at the winning numbers again! :)
 
rkunsaw said:
I buy mega millions and powerball tickets for every drawing. If you have a ticket you can dream about what you would do with all those millions of dollars. If you don't buy a ticket you don't have a dream. I can afford $8 a week to buy a dream.
Click to expand...

My dream costs a dollar every 6-8 months.
 
I play the lotto, the lower one that costs $1.00 and a daily one that is easier to win. I have won over $100.00 a couple of times and lower than $100.00 at times. I won $22.00 last week and thought that was great.:)

I do not spend that much money but it is fun to check the tickets and winning even a small amount.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top