How do you view the lottery?

[007]

I rarely buy tickets except at Christmas. I give them out as presents to the mailman, UPS guy, etc. In NJ, I believe the lottery is the only state program that pays for itself. When the state shut down a few years ago, they lost millions. Brilliant, eh?

That's a thoughtful thing to do, and think if one of those you handed out won. I would hope that the person you gave it to would be good enough to reward you for your kind gesture.

 

[xsited1]

Sure, the odds are bad. The odds at winning the Powerball are 1:195,249,054 as stated on the ticket sold here in Wisconsin. Sure, your odds at being struck by lightening are better, twice. But, BUT... SOMEONE has to win it. NO ONE is playing the game with any better odds than you have, and someone is WINNING it. So why shouldn't it be YOU? And you can't win if you don't play, so I play. I usually wait until it gets over $100,000,000 before I buy any tickets though. Waste of money? I'm sure there are those that will tell you it's the worst bet on earth, and it is, really. But, the pay off if you win is also the largest on earth. So what the hell... why not take a chance?

The lottery just came to Arkansas. I'll let you know.

 

[007]

the lottery is a tax on the stupid.

Tell that to the winners.

 

[007]

Sure, the odds are bad. The odds at winning the Powerball are 1:195,249,054 as stated on the ticket sold here in Wisconsin. Sure, your odds at being struck by lightening are better, twice. But, BUT... SOMEONE has to win it. NO ONE is playing the game with any better odds than you have, and someone is WINNING it. So why shouldn't it be YOU? And you can't win if you don't play, so I play. I usually wait until it gets over $100,000,000 before I buy any tickets though. Waste of money? I'm sure there are those that will tell you it's the worst bet on earth, and it is, really. But, the pay off if you win is also the largest on earth. So what the hell... why not take a chance?

I put 10.00 a week on mega millions. 5.00 on Friday and 5.00 on Tuesday so if it's an addiction, it isn't too awfully expensive. If they ever get casinos here in Ohio, I might spend a little more but I'm pretty responsible. Gambling is fun.

Just an FYI, the Ohio lottery was "suppose" for the betterment of the schools. I have seen no such thing happen, in fact I have seen the opposite. So where does the money go?

Recently the contract for the "NEW" lottery was given to a company in Greece. So much for new jobs in Ohio


Ohio, pouring lottery proceeds into education actually caused state spending on schools to shrink, according to a study by graduate student Thomas Garnett published by the Buckeye Institute in Dayton, Ohio.
The study demonstrated that, after Ohio's 1974 promise to devote all lottery winnings to public schools, state spending on education dropped from 42 percent of its total budget in 1973 to 29 percent in 1994.

I think it may be even worse now, from what I see with our schools. The lottery is a scam. Although I do not begruge those who decide to play one or twice a week, I understand why they play. The worse ones I see gambling hundreds of dollars in one day, would be those who play the instant tickets. It is sad and maddening to watch people use credit cards and writing checks to play in hopes to hit 500 dollars. Actually it is like watching a heroin addict shoot up.

Sounds shady... and Wisconsin claims it spends 31% of it's lottery intake on "property tax relief." I often wonder how high our property taxes would be if they weren't doing that, since they're like the third or fourth highest in the nation now...

Freakin' lying thieves.

 

[PixieStix]

The lottery is everywhere I go, I never play, never desire to, I see it as a waste of a dollar. I have all I "need" and more. I want for nothing really. I do not want something like millions of dollars to destroy who I am. Like it does many people who are not aware of the downfalls of becoming suddenly rich. I have seen not many people handle becoming rich all of a sudden very well

If I did happen to become rich for some freaked out reason, my one and only desire would be to find a cure for a certain disease

 

[Dis]

I rarely buy tickets except at Christmas. I give them out as presents to the mailman, UPS guy, etc. In NJ, I believe the lottery is the only state program that pays for itself. When the state shut down a few years ago, they lost millions. Brilliant, eh?

That's a thoughtful thing to do, and think if one of those you handed out won. I would hope that the person you gave it to would be good enough to reward you for your kind gesture.

I wouldn't expect something in return for a gift..in fact, I'd flat out refuse it.. I tend to use them as stocking stuffers for kids, since they're not old enough to buy them. You'd be surprised at the kick they get out of an "adult game".. They make great gift tags, too...

 

[Dis]

The lottery is everywhere I go, I never play, never desire to, I see it as a waste of a dollar. I have all I "need" and more. I want for nothing really. I do not want something like millions of dollars to destroy who I am. Like it does many people who are not aware of the downfalls of becoming suddenly rich. I have seen not many people handle becoming rich all of a sudden very well

If I did happen to become rich for some freaked out reason, my one and only desire would be to find a cure for a certain disease

I'd pay off my house, and truck.. Then put the addition on to my house that I want... But I love my job too much to quit, so I'd always work... I even go in and work on my days off...

 

[007]

The lottery is everywhere I go, I never play, never desire to, I see it as a waste of a dollar. I have all I "need" and more. I want for nothing really. I do not want something like millions of dollars to destroy who I am. Like it does many people who are not aware of the downfalls of becoming suddenly rich. I have seen not many people handle becoming rich all of a sudden very well

If I did happen to become rich for some freaked out reason, my one and only desire would be to find a cure for a certain disease

Yup... all the tails of woe about people who win millions on the lottery... well, I'd really like to know what kind of moron these people were PRIOR to them winning the lottery.

You need a plan. You just need to use you head and don't get stupid. Many, many people have won BILLIONS on the lottery, and the success stories far outweigh the disaster stories.

Drop $150,000,000.00 in my bank account and I'll show you another success story, except you won't be able to find me...

 

[007]

I rarely buy tickets except at Christmas. I give them out as presents to the mailman, UPS guy, etc. In NJ, I believe the lottery is the only state program that pays for itself. When the state shut down a few years ago, they lost millions. Brilliant, eh?

That's a thoughtful thing to do, and think if one of those you handed out won. I would hope that the person you gave it to would be good enough to reward you for your kind gesture.

I wouldn't expect something in return for a gift..in fact, I'd flat out refuse it.. I tend to use them as stocking stuffers for kids, since they're not old enough to buy them. You'd be surprised at the kick they get out of an "adult game".. They make great gift tags, too...

I wouldn't 'expect it' either. But if I handed out, which I don't, but if I did, a Powerball ticket that won and the jackpot payout was over a hundred million, if the person wanted to give me a kick back for mil or so, I'd take it in a freakin' heart break sister...

 

[PixieStix]

The lottery is everywhere I go, I never play, never desire to, I see it as a waste of a dollar. I have all I "need" and more. I want for nothing really. I do not want something like millions of dollars to destroy who I am. Like it does many people who are not aware of the downfalls of becoming suddenly rich. I have seen not many people handle becoming rich all of a sudden very well

If I did happen to become rich for some freaked out reason, my one and only desire would be to find a cure for a certain disease

Yup... all the tails of woe about people who win millions on the lottery... well, I'd really like to know what kind of moron these people were PRIOR to them winning the lottery.

You need a plan. You just need to use you head and don't get stupid. Many, many people have won BILLIONS on the lottery, and the success stories far outweigh the disaster stories.

Drop $150,000,000.00 in my bank account and I'll show you another success story, except you won't be able to find me...

Most people that play like I spoke of earlier, are not a good guy like you.

A plan indeed. I almost got rich once (although "almost" doesn't really count) buy working hard on my business, but the government helped to destroy that for me, and I gave up, was sick of trying to please government and giving them a big hunk of my money every year

 

[Dis]

That's a thoughtful thing to do, and think if one of those you handed out won. I would hope that the person you gave it to would be good enough to reward you for your kind gesture.

I wouldn't expect something in return for a gift..in fact, I'd flat out refuse it.. I tend to use them as stocking stuffers for kids, since they're not old enough to buy them. You'd be surprised at the kick they get out of an "adult game".. They make great gift tags, too...

I wouldn't 'expect it' either. But if I handed out, which I don't, but if I did, a Powerball ticket that won and the jackpot payout was over a hundred million, if the person wanted to give me a kick back for mil or so, I'd take it in a freakin' heart break sister...

I think with that many zeros in my account, I'd become very irresponsible about balancing my accounts. I have enough trouble with the money I DO make, so I just dump most of it in savings after the bills are paid, and keep a reasonable amount to satisfy my shopping fetish.. I tend to be very free with money, because there won't be room for it in my casket. I'll be buried with my jewelry.

 

[007]

The lottery is everywhere I go, I never play, never desire to, I see it as a waste of a dollar. I have all I "need" and more. I want for nothing really. I do not want something like millions of dollars to destroy who I am. Like it does many people who are not aware of the downfalls of becoming suddenly rich. I have seen not many people handle becoming rich all of a sudden very well

If I did happen to become rich for some freaked out reason, my one and only desire would be to find a cure for a certain disease

I'd pay off my house, and truck.. Then put the addition on to my house that I want... But I love my job too much to quit, so I'd always work... I even go in and work on my days off...

Wow... not me. I'd build a compound up in Montana on 25,000 acres or so that was 100% self contained. It's own water, power supply, sewer, a helipad, small air port, gardens, beef cattle, till a portion of land for cattle feed, alfalfa, grain, corn... etc..

Then I'd buy a mansion in Vegas and open me a world class restaurant. I've always wanted to open a super nice restaurant... oh I'd have a ball...

 

[007]

I wouldn't expect something in return for a gift..in fact, I'd flat out refuse it.. I tend to use them as stocking stuffers for kids, since they're not old enough to buy them. You'd be surprised at the kick they get out of an "adult game".. They make great gift tags, too...

I wouldn't 'expect it' either. But if I handed out, which I don't, but if I did, a Powerball ticket that won and the jackpot payout was over a hundred million, if the person wanted to give me a kick back for mil or so, I'd take it in a freakin' heart break sister...

I think with that many zeros in my account, I'd become very irresponsible about balancing my accounts. I have enough trouble with the money I DO make, so I just dump most of it in savings after the bills are paid, and keep a reasonable amount to satisfy my shopping fetish.. I tend to be very free with money, because there won't be room for it in my casket. I'll be buried with my jewelry.

Can't blame ya there... as the song lyric goes... "never saw a hearse with a luggage rack." I'm a little bit of a spend thrift myself. I always seem to find myself running out of room to put "stuff," and then having to sell some... to make room for more stuff...

 

[PixieStix]

I would buy me a home in the mountains of Colorado. Buy my Mom a nice home and do something really worth while , maybe adopt a few kids and buy a lot of horses. The rest would probably be given away randomly, just so the govenment would leave me the hell alone

And again, would buy me a scientist and a doctor to find a cure for a certain disease

 

[Dis]

I wouldn't 'expect it' either. But if I handed out, which I don't, but if I did, a Powerball ticket that won and the jackpot payout was over a hundred million, if the person wanted to give me a kick back for mil or so, I'd take it in a freakin' heart break sister...

I think with that many zeros in my account, I'd become very irresponsible about balancing my accounts. I have enough trouble with the money I DO make, so I just dump most of it in savings after the bills are paid, and keep a reasonable amount to satisfy my shopping fetish.. I tend to be very free with money, because there won't be room for it in my casket. I'll be buried with my jewelry.

Can't blame ya there... as the song lyric goes... "never saw a hearse with a luggage rake." I'm a little bit of a spend thrift myself. I always seem to find myself running out of room to put "stuff," and then having to sell some... to make room for more stuff...

I actually had to make a personal rule - for everything I buy myself, something in that category has to go. I've bought all the stuff to remodel my main bathroom. Soon as I get around to actually doing it, the old mirror, and old lighting goes. In the mean time, they're just sitting in a closet patiently waiting.. Perhaps if I spent less time here.

 

[Sarah G]

I put 10.00 a week on mega millions. 5.00 on Friday and 5.00 on Tuesday so if it's an addiction, it isn't too awfully expensive. If they ever get casinos here in Ohio, I might spend a little more but I'm pretty responsible. Gambling is fun.

Just an FYI, the Ohio lottery was "suppose" for the betterment of the schools. I have seen no such thing happen, in fact I have seen the opposite. So where does the money go?

Recently the contract for the "NEW" lottery was given to a company in Greece. So much for new jobs in Ohio


Ohio, pouring lottery proceeds into education actually caused state spending on schools to shrink, according to a study by graduate student Thomas Garnett published by the Buckeye Institute in Dayton, Ohio.
The study demonstrated that, after Ohio's 1974 promise to devote all lottery winnings to public schools, state spending on education dropped from 42 percent of its total budget in 1973 to 29 percent in 1994.

I think it may be even worse now, from what I see with our schools. The lottery is a scam. Although I do not begruge those who decide to play one or twice a week, I understand why they play. The worse ones I see gambling hundreds of dollars in one day, would be those who play the instant tickets. It is sad and maddening to watch people use credit cards and writing checks to play in hopes to hit 500 dollars. Actually it is like watching a heroin addict shoot up.

You live in a state where you can charge, or write a check for lottery tickets?

Not here.. Straight up cash, or nothing,

I never tried using a credit card or check to buy them but I doubt you can do that here. I really don't put that much thought into spending 10.00. Of course it has occured to me that the Ohio lottery is a big fat scam still, somebody wins everyday. I even win occasionally.

There's a casino bill on the ballot this time, lots of ads pro and con. I hope we get them, it would just be one more fun thing to do.

 

[PixieStix]

Just an FYI, the Ohio lottery was "suppose" for the betterment of the schools. I have seen no such thing happen, in fact I have seen the opposite. So where does the money go?

Recently the contract for the "NEW" lottery was given to a company in Greece. So much for new jobs in Ohio


Ohio, pouring lottery proceeds into education actually caused state spending on schools to shrink, according to a study by graduate student Thomas Garnett published by the Buckeye Institute in Dayton, Ohio.
The study demonstrated that, after Ohio's 1974 promise to devote all lottery winnings to public schools, state spending on education dropped from 42 percent of its total budget in 1973 to 29 percent in 1994.

I think it may be even worse now, from what I see with our schools. The lottery is a scam. Although I do not begruge those who decide to play one or twice a week, I understand why they play. The worse ones I see gambling hundreds of dollars in one day, would be those who play the instant tickets. It is sad and maddening to watch people use credit cards and writing checks to play in hopes to hit 500 dollars. Actually it is like watching a heroin addict shoot up.

You live in a state where you can charge, or write a check for lottery tickets?

Not here.. Straight up cash, or nothing,

I never tried using a credit card or check to buy them but I doubt you can do that here. I really don't put that much thought into spending 10.00. Of course it has occured to me that the Ohio lottery is a big fat scam still, somebody wins everyday. I even win occasionally.

There's a casino bill on the ballot this time, lots of ads pro and con. I hope we get them, it would just be one more fun thing to do.

There is enough crime and poverty in Ohio, we do not need more. I am against the casinos in Ohio.

Do not doubt you can use credit cards and or checks to buy lottery, I know for a fact you can. Some "stores" may not take it, but it is not against the law. It is just a policy with some stores ect.

 

[007]

I think with that many zeros in my account, I'd become very irresponsible about balancing my accounts. I have enough trouble with the money I DO make, so I just dump most of it in savings after the bills are paid, and keep a reasonable amount to satisfy my shopping fetish.. I tend to be very free with money, because there won't be room for it in my casket. I'll be buried with my jewelry.

Can't blame ya there... as the song lyric goes... "never saw a hearse with a luggage rake." I'm a little bit of a spend thrift myself. I always seem to find myself running out of room to put "stuff," and then having to sell some... to make room for more stuff...

I actually had to make a personal rule - for everything I buy myself, something in that category has to go. I've bought all the stuff to remodel my main bathroom. Soon as I get around to actually doing it, the old mirror, and old lighting goes. In the mean time, they're just sitting in a closet patiently waiting.. Perhaps if I spent less time here.

Yeah my computer was down for three days a couple weeks ago. It was amazing what I got done...

 

[007]

Just an FYI, the Ohio lottery was "suppose" for the betterment of the schools. I have seen no such thing happen, in fact I have seen the opposite. So where does the money go?

Recently the contract for the "NEW" lottery was given to a company in Greece. So much for new jobs in Ohio


Ohio, pouring lottery proceeds into education actually caused state spending on schools to shrink, according to a study by graduate student Thomas Garnett published by the Buckeye Institute in Dayton, Ohio.
The study demonstrated that, after Ohio's 1974 promise to devote all lottery winnings to public schools, state spending on education dropped from 42 percent of its total budget in 1973 to 29 percent in 1994.

I think it may be even worse now, from what I see with our schools. The lottery is a scam. Although I do not begruge those who decide to play one or twice a week, I understand why they play. The worse ones I see gambling hundreds of dollars in one day, would be those who play the instant tickets. It is sad and maddening to watch people use credit cards and writing checks to play in hopes to hit 500 dollars. Actually it is like watching a heroin addict shoot up.

You live in a state where you can charge, or write a check for lottery tickets?

Not here.. Straight up cash, or nothing,

I never tried using a credit card or check to buy them but I doubt you can do that here. I really don't put that much thought into spending 10.00. Of course it has occured to me that the Ohio lottery is a big fat scam still, somebody wins everyday. I even win occasionally.

There's a casino bill on the ballot this time, lots of ads pro and con. I hope we get them, it would just be one more fun thing to do.

Oddly enough, I lived in Nevada for eight years. I've been in and out of just about every major casino in the state, and truthfully, I dislike gambling. I don't like the amount of time it requires, and I never seem to win. I played video poker for years and never, EVER hit a Royal Flush. I was sitting in the Silver Baron bar in the Silver Legacy in Reno with a friend, who NEVER GAMBLES. He uncharacteristically put $5 in one of the dollar machines built into the bar in front of us and ten or so hands later hit a Spade Royal Flush... an instant progressive win. It was around $1,500.00. I could have blown the joint up, and probably why I don't like to gamble. Another time I was in line at the Stardust casino in Vegas with family waiting to go in and watch the show Lido De Paris. As my mother passed by this machine she slipped a few quarters in it and with one pull hit all 7's... JACKPOT! THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME, AND I LIVED THERE FOR YEARS! Yes, no doubt the reason why I truly dislike gambling, in the "go to the casino and gamble" sense.

 

[Dis]

You live in a state where you can charge, or write a check for lottery tickets?

Not here.. Straight up cash, or nothing,

I never tried using a credit card or check to buy them but I doubt you can do that here. I really don't put that much thought into spending 10.00. Of course it has occured to me that the Ohio lottery is a big fat scam still, somebody wins everyday. I even win occasionally.

There's a casino bill on the ballot this time, lots of ads pro and con. I hope we get them, it would just be one more fun thing to do.

Oddly enough, I lived in Nevada for eight years. I've been in and out of just about every major casino in the state, and truthfully, I dislike gambling. I don't like the amount of time it requires, and I never seem to win. I played video poker for years and never, EVER hit a Royal Flush. I was sitting in the Silver Baron bar in the Silver Legacy in Reno with a friend, who NEVER GAMBLES. He uncharacteristically put $5 in one of the dollar machines built into the bar in front of us and ten or so hands later hit a Spade Royal Flush... an instant progressive win. It was around $1,500.00. I could have blown the joint up, and probably why I don't like to gamble. Another time I was in line at the Stardust casino in Vegas with family waiting to go in and watch the show Lido De Paris. As my mother passed by this machine she slipped a few quarters in it and with one pull hit all 7's. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME, AND I LIVED THERE FOR YEARS! Yes, no doubt the reason why I truly dislike gambling, in the "go to the casino and gamble" sense.

I spent a week in Vegas once.. I forgot what hotel it was in, but they have a larger than life slot machine which was $100 a pull. I did that just for kicks.

Once.

I didn't get my $100 back.

But, I ended up coming home from Vegas with $23, which is more than I can say for most people, and I gambled practically 24/7. I stopped to shop, and eat.