Is there any real benefit to lottos?

Well said. While I am not fond of wasting money on the lotto, we all waste money on less practical things.

 

I'm all for the right to spend/waste one's money however one chooses.

But the government should not be promoting or participating in such activity.

 

Tax? When did the govt require us to play?

 

I hear what you are saying and agree. People are free to get their entertainment however the choose. The $2 a week lotto player is not who I was referring to, though. $2 a week on anything is never going to amount to a problem. I am talking about the $50+ per week players, like these regulars I see in my corner store all the time (I drink a lot of beers). They cash their paychecks at the store and spend $60 on scratch off tickets. You are right, they are free to do whatever they want with their money, but I still see it as the state scamming stupid people. I guess a stupid-tax isn't the worst thing in the world...

And I shouldn't have said that the lottery is like paying a dollar for a chance to win $0.55, I should have said it's like the state saying "give me a dollar and I'll give you $0.55."

 

I am more disturbed by the fact that part of our EDUCATIONAL system is funded by the friggin lottery.

 

If you people want to see stupid watch the purge. Omg what a waste of my life tonight.

 

Lottery ticket purchases are not taxes. They are GIFTS and they are not tax-deductible because there is an expectation of something in return....!

In fact, they are tax-free, no? You pay no sales tax on a lottery ticket, do you?

I don't play regularly but I've probably bought half a dozen in my lifetime on a wild hair.

Every few.... weeks?.... some family has the opportunity to change their financial life around. What's really stupid is how that can/has ruined a lot of people.

 

They allegedly taught him deep thinking about social policy like that at Rice.