Do you play the lottery?

[yoda313]

So are you a lotto player? Do you play the scratch and win tickets? Are you a powerball/mega millions player? Do you play another type of lottery?

I play the lotto maybe once every three or four years. Usually when it hits that 200 million mark - hard to resist plunking down a buck for a super longshot.

But generally I avoid them.

[handyguy]

No. Just seems to be a tax on people who have don't money. Rich people don't need to play, they already have the money. Plus, they say it gives money to schools in Calif, true, but then the state takes back an equivalent amount.

[dadrab]

Plus, they say it gives money to schools in Calif, true, but then the state takes back an equivalent amount.

It depends on how the lottery laws are written. The state of Georgia makes very little money off the lottery. NONE of the money goes into general fund accounts. Only what's needed to administer the program is taken out of the proceeds.

100% of the rest (about 97% if memory serves) goes to eduction.

South Carolina patterned their laws after Georgia. Sounds like California could take a lesson.

I play a couple of times a month - only a couple of dollars and I always play the large payout games with computer picks for my numbers. Statistics clearly show that "quick picks" always win over choosing one's own numbers.

I've even won a few dollars from time to time myself.

No big wins yet. No big losses either.

8)

[Constant Gardener]

I've always regarded lotteries as a tax on the mathematically ignorant. However, I do support our local Children's Hospital lottery, which I consider a good cause. Maybe some year I'll win a second barbecue or an SUV or a diamond-studded codpiece.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

I am vulnerable to lotto fever.
I always find myself buying a few quick picks when the jackpot gets into the HUGE numbers.

I bought a scratch ticket on a whim this spring and won $250.00 -- that was nice.

[edDV]

Voluntary Taxation

[oldfart13]

Lotteries, contests, casino. Past times for me. I used to win on occassion with contests. I did that for a great many years and won just about everything you can imagine (that 17 day all expense trip to Kenya, Africa and the 4X4 GM truck and boat combo were the biggest prizes). I stopped for a long while and though things are tougher because of Internet contest entering, it's still possible to win. I won a Sony Ericsson W300I Walkman cell phone a couple months back. Sure beat the cheapo phone the telephone company had to give me when they went from analog to digital in this area. Trying for an Xbox or maybe a bigger TV next. Lots of contests and lots to win (if you try)....

[davidsama]

There is no lottery in my state to play.

[edong]

Only twice a week playing Mega and Super Lotto (California).

[handyguy]

Calif changed the odds by adding more numbers. lol

[impmon2]

Voted for others, very rarely I play lottery. I think I've played them 3 times total in my life. Spent maybe close to $10 total and won $5 once. Generally I don't have much money to spare for lotteries anyway, they are spent on computers, bills, video games, bills, pizza, bills, and sushi. Did I mention bills?

[DereX888]

I don't need more money than I already have, and I see no point in playing any lotteries or such, but I admit guilty of gambling in Vegas occasionally when I have to take my european family visitors there (they always want to see Vegas and it always end up gambling). But thats part of my 'entertainment expenses' anyways.
I won big in Montreal casino once.
And I chipped-in my share when everyone else were buying group lottery ticket, but that is actually peer pressure I never bought a lottery ticket on my own free will, I don't think I ever will. I rather donate few bucks to a cause I consider good.

[gadgetguy]

I went with never, but I tried it once when Michigan first introduced the lottery. I bought a $1 ticket, and won $2. I put $1 back in my pocket and bought another ticket. I won a free ticket. I got the free ticket and lost. I haven't played since and that was over 20 years ago. So it's almost never.

[lordhutt]

Hell yeah...I bet on everything...I just bet my cousin on how many replies this thread would have by noon tomorrow.

Although I can't believe I screwed up and bet AGAINST Rocky in the 4th movie....2 years after it came out.

[impmon2]

See if you can sucker your cousin Bet him that an evil villain is the father of a person who would bring peace to galaxy. Then watch Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back