Do You Play the Lottery?

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by Etschell

Lottery is a scam. No one wins for real.

Been playing the lottery off and on for over the past 25 years (usually with a spare buck or two following a run to the grocery/liquor store or the gas station). The most I ever won was $1800 (5 of 6) back when there was no 'mega' just six numbers. In those days there were a sizeable number of $1 & $5 winners but then the lottery officials decided to generate more interest/revenue by increasing the odds and 'rollover' jackpots. As a result, it's tough nowadays to even recover a buck.

Awhile back Etschell posted that the lottery is a scam and after doing some research I've come to the conclusion that while the odds of winning will always remain somewhat remote, there have been ample opportunities for those actively involved in the process to mess with the algorithms in an effort/attempt to create certain advantages.

So the question is, do you suspect that the lotteries are potentially rigged and essentially a state-operated scam? In CA, the lottery was originally advertised as a means of improving statewide education but I don't see kids getting any smarter or better educated.

BTW, tonight is Mega Millions and tomorrow Powerball.

http://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/col...gged/78674912/

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/30/mast...-jackpots.html

http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-wi...ackpot-2017-10

http://www.uncoveror.com/lottery.htm

[SearChart]

I do not and never will.

[Thatguy]

I don’t play but don’t consider it a scam. The funds originally were to go to education but I believe have since been diverted elsewhere.

My wife considers it a tax for people bad at math. Lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Star Ferry]

Since opportunities for profit are far from evenly distributed across society, the lottery could still be the best choice for poor people

It's sad. But calling it a "tax on the poor" is a middlebrow NYT-style stance that ignores the reality of being poor

Personally I enjoy gambling but quit when my loss for the day hits $1000. Have no interest in being a big time gambler.

[tamiya]

Yeah I've been buying tix for decades... even back before I attained majority... lucky back then nobody bothered checking ID for age hehehe... especially if you drive there... hehehehe.

I'm also an officially accredited outlet operator! did the training program at HQ, did a stint on the other side of the counter - interesting role, very people orientated.

If anybody wants to make their fortune in lotto, best chance is to buy your own outlet, grow your sales a few years then onsell the joint. It's all a numbers game afaik.

[Star Ferry]

lucky back then nobody bothered checking ID for age hehehe... especially if you drive there... hehehehe.

If you'd won enough, they definitely would have checked

[tamiya]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

If you'd won enough, they definitely would have checked

Never got that lucky otherwise would've gotten an adult to claim big prize

By the time I got out of school uniform this little antipodean town got its Casino and the blackjack & roulette pits were more attractive than buying lottery.

[AzPaul]

Don't know about Power Ball or Mega Millions, but the NBA lottery is as crooked as a barrel of fish hooks.

[GradyPhilpott]

[dysondiver]

about 180 million on the euro lottery ,,, got to be worthy of a punt , what else could change your life so much for a couple of quid ,,, now theres a thought for a thread

[MrTwi]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

do you suspect that the lotteries are potentially rigged and essentially a state-operated scam?

Do you truly believe that the states are running an illegal lottery to fraudulently deprive their citizens of their money?

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

In CA, the lottery was originally advertised as a means of improving statewide education but I don't see kids getting any smarter or better educated.

Have you done your due diligence and tracked the lottery laws to see where the funding has been going from its inception until today? Surely this must be the CA statutes somewhere. Here is your latest quarterly report http://static.www.calottery.com/~/me...Qtr_2ndRun.pdf

Do you think $308,165,758 did not go to K-12 and they are deceiving the citizens of CA?

I dont understand your reasoning because if that is true, CA has a HUGE problem since it implies corruption. They even break it down by individual school. If this were true, this would be huge.

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by MrTwi

Do you truly believe that the states are running an illegal lottery to fraudulently deprive their citizens of their money?

Since state legislators and bureaucrats create the laws, they have a certain latitude in deciding what is legal and what is not.

Originally Posted by MrTwi

Do you think $308,165,758 did not go to K-12 and they are deceiving the citizens of CA?

Chances are these funds went towards bloated and oftentimes questionable administrative expenditures/costs rather than reflecting the best interests of the students.

[GB-man]

Yes because I get a kick out of it and it's a cheap thrill. I will buy a ticket when it gets over a few hundred million.

It's not a state rigged scam. That's conspiracy theory nonsense. A guy on trf won over a mil last year lol

I will say the "education funding" bit is nonsense because sure they will send checks to fund education but then divert funds originally appropriated to education lol

[antbkny]

over 400 million, im in.

[MrTwi]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Since state legislators and bureaucrats create the laws, they have a certain latitude in deciding what is legal and what is not..

Lawmakers get prosecuted all the time for corruption, bribery, etc. If you don't believe it, see http://nypost.com/2017/09/30/menende...ion-in-the-us/

Menendez has set a new low for blatant corruption in the US on trial right now.

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Chances are these funds went towards bloated and oftentimes questionable administrative expenditures/costs rather than reflecting the best interests of the students.

Do some due diligence and figure it out. Quick example

http://www.lodinews.com/news/article...409057f99.html

"Students at Millswood Middle School use their daily planners to keep track of homework and assignments. Funds from the California Lottery provided the $4,000 to dole them out at the beginning of the school year. ... The other approximately $4,000 was spent on a teacher computer and projector"


Some goes to the General Fund. You can track it down. Do some research rather than throwing out general ideas. Its going to be documented. Doing some research helps everyone understand.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by MrTwi

Lawmakers get prosecuted all the time for corruption, bribery, etc. If you don't believe it, see http://nypost.com/2017/09/30/menende...ion-in-the-us/

Menendez has set a new low for blatant corruption in the US on trial right now.



Do some due diligence and figure it out. Quick example

http://www.lodinews.com/news/article...409057f99.html

"Students at Millswood Middle School use their daily planners to keep track of homework and assignments. Funds from the California Lottery provided the $4,000 to dole them out at the beginning of the school year. ... The other approximately $4,000 was spent on a teacher computer and projector"


Some goes to the General Fund. You can track it down. Do some research rather than throwing out general ideas. Its going to be documented. Doing some research helps everyone understand.

I think BC prefers to throw a grenade into the room to start his threads. What would be the fun in presenting a well researched and reasoned post when an inflammatory post draws so many replies?

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by MrTwi

Do some research rather than throwing out general ideas. Its going to be documented. Doing some research helps everyone understand.

Here are some references FYI:

https://www.tuition.io/blog/2013/03/...ing-education/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-the-...nging-schools/

http://thecoloradoobserver.com/2014/...f-funds-cited/

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I think BC prefers to throw a grenade into the room to start his threads. What would be the fun in presenting a well researched and reasoned post when an inflammatory post draws so many replies?

Inflammatory and without sources? The last time I checked, a coin still had two sides.

[moorery2001]

Whenever I'm feeling lucky, i do!

[MonBK]

Just won a couple of bucks on the Eurolotto tonight.

If I don't get paid it's a scam.

[Rebel]

No.

[Wcdhtwn]

One thing is guaranteed in the lottery: If you don't play you cannot win.

[antbkny]

Can someone give me five numbers from 1 to 69, and 1 from 1 to 26, id like to win powerball this weekend.

[MrTwi]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I think BC prefers to throw a grenade into the room to start his threads. What would be the fun in presenting a well researched and reasoned post when an inflammatory post draws so many replies?

I can see that. Thanks.

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Here are some references FYI:

https://www.tuition.io/blog/2013/03/...ing-education/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-the-...nging-schools/

http://thecoloradoobserver.com/2014/...f-funds-cited/

Those aren't references, they are your complaint. Poor us, where did the money go? You are parroting them. I gave you a quick example of where money actually went. It took 30 seconds of research, $4K went to planners, $4K went to a computer and projector in one CA school.

So, do some digging and find where the rest of the money went. You don't expect everyone else to do the work for you? I gave you a list for the amounts that went to specific schools. You really want to find out? Use the telephone and start calling. ASK where the money went. Find out who the principles are, they must be public records, and do some digging.

I'm not saying you are right or wrong, but I wouldn't expect a real answer without doing some work to find out. :)

The truth is out there. Go do the work.

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by MrTwi

I can see that. Thanks.



Those aren't references, they are your complaint. Poor us, where did the money go? You are parroting them. I gave you a quick example of where money actually went. It took 30 seconds of research, $4K went to planners, $4K went to a computer and projector in one CA school.

So, do some digging and find where the rest of the money went. You don't expect everyone else to do the work for you? I gave you a list for the amounts that went to specific schools. You really want to find out? Use the telephone and start calling. ASK where the money went. Find out who the principles are, they must be public records, and do some digging.

I'm not saying you are right or wrong, but I wouldn't expect a real answer without doing some work to find out. :)

I like you...... Welcome

[MrTwi]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

I like you...... Welcome

blush, thank you

[sahcivan]

Lottery is a tax on hope

[Kyle13]

when the numbers get big I usually throw a few bucks at tickets, max ive ever done was i found a random 20 in my pocket while getting gas, saw one of the scratcher things for 20 and never got one before so i said why not, lost it all right there so i dont frequent the scratchers anymore lol

[TheRolexKingofLV]

I personally don't, but tons of Las Vegas locals drive to the California State Line where there is a Lottery Store, because of no lotteries in Nevada. Bad for biz.

[Dr. Robert]

Yes

[Snow-Dweller]

I think the lottery is FANTASTIC value for money.

I get to dream really big dreams, to live in my own Walter Mitty world....all for a couple of bucks/quid/euros.

Count me in!