Lottery: anyone here play?

[skyactiv]

I don't want to get political. Think about where the lotto money goes in your state.

The lotto in my state was voted in during the early 70's. My father spoke of the lotto having a campaign how it would solve the public school funding issue and people assumed it generate money for schools and stop school districts from having school levies.
Like with anything that involves a public union, the union members just wanted more and more higher pay which sucked all the lotto money and than some.

 

[PandaBear]

Of course the game is rigged, but if you don't play, you can't win.

That's the biggest lie ever. It is basically buying an insurance that has a very high cost (say 35% overhead instead of the 1-10% typical insurance have) but payout randomly instead of when you are in a pickle.

 

[PandaBear]

I don't want to get political. Think about where the lotto money goes in your state.

The lotto in my state was voted in during the early 70's. My father spoke of the lotto having a campaign how it would solve the public school funding issue and people assumed it generate money for schools and stop school districts from having school levies.
Like with anything that involves a public union, the union members just wanted more and more higher pay which sucked all the lotto money and than some.

I wouldn't blame the union, the general fund would cut the education / school funding by about the same amount the lottery bring in, so no net change, just a tax on the poor and desperate.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

You should be thrilled right now..lol
.

Hooker's and blow... hooker's and blow.

 

[RhondaHonda]

I spend about $10/year on powerball or megamillions.

Same here. Then I forget about the ticket in my wallet for 3-6 months.

 

[Slow Car Sport Mode]

I use my gas generator to charge my EV.

As do most.

 

[GrtArtiste]

I can only speak about OHIO, not about other states. The Lottery was passed here with the story that it would benefit schools. Except for some minor functions and throw-them-a bone events, the schools receive almost nothing other than what state law already dictates. The Lottery is simply entertainment for those who want to play, and something to ridicule for those who do not.

However, my understanding is that the Lottery in Ohio has one distinction that makes it somewhat unique. In Ohio, any ticket that wins a prize (no matter how large or small)...MUST BE PAID IN FULL. If the prize is not claimed by the owner of the ticket, the money CANNOT BE KEPT BY THE STATE. Instead, it is diverted into a fund for awarding prizes that anyone can claim if they follow the rules and do what is required. There is competition for such prizes and getting them is NOT GUARANTEED, but I've received more than I ever thought I would. Most people won't make the effort, but data entry was one of my skills for a long time and you might be surprised how careless some players are.

 

[Wolf359]

That's the biggest lie ever. It is basically buying an insurance that has a very high cost (say 35% overhead instead of the 1-10% typical insurance have) but payout randomly instead of when you are in a pickle.

Actually it's more like 50% which is why I say it's rigged. About 50% of the money in the pot goes toward payouts, the rest the state keeps. I think in a casino, the payout rate is much higher, typically 80% or more.

I don't want to get political. Think about where the lotto money goes in your state.

The lotto in my state was voted in during the early 70's. My father spoke of the lotto having a campaign how it would solve the public school funding issue and people assumed it generate money for schools and stop school districts from having school levies.
Like with anything that involves a public union, the union members just wanted more and more higher pay which sucked all the lotto money and than some.

It's only political if you have an axe to grind and want to blame it on something. Pretty much all states have lotteries, I think those main games have over 40 states participating in it. So it's hard to make the argument that your particular state is the only one with a union trying to get more money. By default, unions are always trying to get more money and many states count on the lottery to supplement school budgets. I forget, what was your point again about your state and schools that doesn't apply to every other state?

 

[Joe1]

I buy a PB or MM ticket on occasion when the jackpot is high.
A friend of mine once described the lottery to me as "a tax on the innumerate".

 

[JeffKeryk]

Think about where the lotto money goes in your state.

I have no idea except it doesn't got to me.

 

[Wolf359]

The lottery is a tax on people who are bad at math.

Some people just don't like to know the odds.

 

[supton]

Used to play state, occasionally PB but I thought PB tickets were too expensive. I have nothing against playing state lotto as a cheap vice, but think scratch offs are just shy of predatory.

 

[Zee09]

As do most.

Oh yeah...well after I charge my EV up with my gas generator I write my lottery expenses off my taxes....

 

[Slow Car Sport Mode]

Oh yeah...well after I charge my EV up with my gas generator I write my lottery expenses off my taxes....

Teach me your ways lol

 

[bdcardinal]

When the Powerball gets high I will participate in the redneck retirement plan.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Hooker's and blow... hooker's and blow.

Okay In all seriousness I used to play Powerball and MegaMillions when the jackpots would be over $100M but getting a Costco membership a few years ago put a dent in the frequency and working from home (Covid) was the final nail in the coffin. I just can't be bothered with it.

 

[Dave Hess]

A few dollars a month buying lotto is OK.

Blowing thousands at a casino is a no no.

 

[THORROMIG]

I am also that guy that will spend probably 10 bucks on computer picks when the Power Ball or lottery gets really really high. Just being honest.

 

[Wolf359]

Used to play state, occasionally PB but I thought PB tickets were too expensive. I have nothing against playing state lotto as a cheap vice, but think scratch offs are just shy of predatory.

It's actually the other way around. Scratch offs have higher payouts than lottery tickets. They actually say that the higher value tickets like $20+ have higher payouts than the $1 tickets.

But it's sad when people play them too much. I remember one tenant I evicted, had boxes of scratch off tickets. Probably could have paid the rent if they didn't waste it on the scratch offs and I wouldn't have had to evict them. I think they save them so you can deduct the old tickets against your winnings.

 

[Jdeere562]

I retired from a 1/01/22 from a company that produces pulltab and scratch off tickets for State Lotteries and Charities.
Trust me, the odds are not in your favor! Most are in the 62% payback range. Some higher, depending on the state and who is selling them.