NationStates Jolt Archive

My mom gave me a scratchoff ticket to do, which got me thinking about what the people of NSG thought about the various lotteries that exist. My parents buy into them a lot (pun FTW), but I think they are a waste of money. So, what do y'all think of the lottery?

I've never lost any money on scratch offs. Either I win a dollar, or five, or even thirty.

You're more likely to win on the expensive ones.

I hate lotteries and raffles and stuff like that. Because Lady Luck was my ex-girlfriend, and the break-up was not that amicable... :(

I've never lost any money on scratch offs. Either I win a dollar, or five, or even thirty.

You're more likely to win on the expensive ones.

It SHOULD be that way, but it's not, at least not here in Tennessee. Here, judging from the posted overall odds on the backs of the scratch-off tickets, you're practically just as likely (read: unlikely) to win anything on a $20 ticket as you are on a $1 ticket.

I've never lost any money on scratch offs.

You must not play very often if you NEVER lose on scratch-offs.

Never played it in my life, or intend to.

Personally, I never play the lottery. I'm too stingy with my money.

Conceptually, however, i 100% support it. It's a great revanue maker for the state government (where I live). Hundreds of millions of dollars go to schools. What's not to like about that? It's kind of like voluntary taxes.

You must not play very often if you NEVER lose on scratch-offs.

I play like once a month. *nods at your correctness*

I may have lost like $5 due to it, but that's all, in the many years of playing.

The scratchoff ones are nice, and playing powerball occasionally is fine, but I'd never play the daily lottery and I don't know why people do it daily.

My mom gave me a scratchoff ticket to do, which got me thinking about what the people of NSG thought about the various lotteries that exist. My parents buy into them a lot (pun FTW), but I think they are a waste of money. So, what do y'all think of the lottery?

I'm in a club of seven people at work and we chip in $8.00 a month for the lottery tickets. I also buy tickets several times a month outside the club. Yep, it's a waste of money as I have a better chance of getting hit by lightning than winning the lottery, but...what the hell...if I ever win the big one...:)

The lottery is a sign that people have too much money...or too little money. I don't know which, actually.

I don't participate, but I have no qualms about it. At worse, it's like a voluntary tax.

EDIT: I just saw the poll. I am a big fan of the Shirley Jackson The Lottery.

I play more or less regularly. Biggest win I ever had was 350 Euros. All in all, I think I've won a little more than I spent over the years. But not much, really, I moslty do it just for having the possibility ;)

I find lottery to be boring so for me it would be a waste of time and money as the lottery company always wins in the long run, otherwise they wouldn't stay in business. But sure if you think it's fun then why not, nothing wrong with paying a little for the moment of hope and excitement of a remote possibility of winning.

EDIT: I just saw the poll. I am a big fan of the Shirley Jackson The Lottery.Excellent story.

[x] Tax on stupid people

Yes, but I have not been stoned to death yet.

I was about to make a post about throwing rocks at people, but someone already referenced the story. Damn you all.

I was about to make a post about throwing rocks at people, but someone already referenced the story. Damn you all.
*hands you winning lottery ticket*
*stones you to death*

My mom gave me a scratchoff ticket to do, which got me thinking about what the people of NSG thought about the various lotteries that exist. My parents buy into them a lot (pun FTW), but I think they are a waste of money. So, what do y'all think of the lottery?

You can't win if you don't play.

Honestly, I only buy Powerball tickets (any instant tickets I get are gifts I receive for my birthday or Christmas), and only when it's up over $25-$30 million.

You can't win if you don't play.


Nor can you lose. :p

I don't bother with the lottery, because I understand basic statistics and the fact that no matter the size of the jackpot, buying a ticket is a losing proposition and is never a good bet. (That's how they work... if there was ever a point where buying a ticket was a good bet, the company would lose a lot of money) And I just don't find it that fun, but, when gambling, I tend to prefer games in which you can influence your chances of winning, and I really tend to prefer games where it's possible to make a good bet, instead of merely a less bad one.

Though, people who enjoy it should feel free. After all, as long as you play responsibly, there's nothing wrong with it. Also, it pays for an excellent scholarship that my state offers to all in-state high school graduates who go to college in-state, if they manage to keep a 3.0.:)

It's a good way to get clash flowing into charitable organisations.

I was about to make a post about throwing rocks at people, but someone already referenced the story. Damn you all.

Bwahahahaha!

[x] Tax on stupid people

yupyup

when i buy a lottery ticket (i probably buy 20 a year) i call it "paying the stupidity tax"

you give the government money that it uses to fund programs but instead of the govt getting $1 for every $1 you pay, it gets $.25.