Lottery - do you play it?

[crazyquik]

Yes, No, Maybe?

Have you ever worked at a place that sold tickets (and can tell us how much/many/often you sold them)?

Anyone know someone who knows someone who watched someone win one time?

 

[thekunk07]

i have a yearly subscription/quick pick deal where it plays for me every week.

 

[Texasmade]

I've played Texas Lotto and the Mega Millions occasionally. It's $1 to play each time. Total, I've played maybe $20 worth in my lifetime.

 

[Milhouse]

Do I play it? Not actively
Have I played it? Yes
Do I know someone that has won? Yes

I was in elementary school when the family of a classmate of mine won 30 million dollars. Took about a year or so for their lives to go to ****. The father quit his job and became incredibly lazy. They ended up with all kinds of extended family problems due to their new money.. . jealousy and resentment and whatnot. It just all went real bad.

 

[thekunk07]

if i won, i'd stay oin my current home, wear a disguise at the photo op and take care of a few people. i'd keep working but put my salary back into my business.

 

[JayJay]

No

 

[gouki]

never play, I prefer to save my money for awesome clothes.

N

 

[visionology]

I've played around 10 times, mostly during the big powerballs even though I know the stupid odds. When the prizes are something like $150+ mil I get caught up in the whole, what if...

I wouldn't quit working either. I'd help family out, buy a couple homes and sink a lot of money into investments and my business.

 

[bullethead]

I play megamillions when it goes over 70 mill or so. Buy five bucks worth of easy picks-less than the price of a pint on the way home.

 

[likeitaloud]

As my poli sci teacher puts it "the tax on the poor"

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by likeitaloud

As my poli sci teacher puts it "the tax on the poor"
Indeed.

 

[crazyquik]

Mine called it 'a tax on people who can't do math'.

I think I've bought $3 worth of scratch tickets in my life though.

I prefer to lose my money in mortgage backed securities

 

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by likeitaloud

As my poli sci teacher puts it "the tax on the poor"
I prefer the 'tax on people who can't do math' variant. Nonetheless, there is a pool at work for whenever the pot exceeds $50MM, and I always kick in $5 -- makes the odds slightly better, is something of a team building exercise, good all around. In my state, the moneys collected go primarily to elder care, which I have some considerable feeling for, so I don't mind. I did think what I could do with the money one day the pot was over $300MM -- buy my father his Viper, pay off all his debts and pretty much remove the 'what will I do if I lose my job' fears that always plague him, help out a few friends and family members who just can't seem to beat back reality, endow a scholarship at my community college, and somehow set up some sort of charity through my church for helping out the needy, especially the widows and orphans. My late Mom had a real passion that the church should do that. Edit: forgot what I'd personally do -- just go back to school and learn some more for awhile. There's so much I'd hope to know by now that I don't. But driving a Lotus. ~ H

 

[daft]

I've bought the megamillion it once and boy that was an exciting week. daydreaming about what i'm going to do with all the money i win. I eventually won 7 dollars or something like that, but the ticket was put in the washer with my clothes and i never saw it again.

 

[Davidko19]

probably only bought $20 worth of powerball when it gets to record levels. Its pretty fun just to day dream about what you would do.

Also, a GREAT tip I learned from a friend of mine that I used a few times: Tip your bartender with scratchers. A. it still only costs you a dollar B. They will remember you and thus be more likely to "forget" a few drinks C. If they win even a little bit you are golden for the night. I wish I used this more often because its awesome.