What happens if I play for years on end and never end up winning anything in the lottery?

Hi everyone,

I've been starting to realize that maybe I've not been realistic with myself when it comes to the lottery. Even though I know the chances of winning a jackpot are astronomical I still have the hope that I will win enough money in the lottery to change my life. For years I only played the lottery when the drawing games were over 100 million but things started to change almost 3 years ago when I just started playing the lottery more consistently hoping for that big win.  Well like the majority of people who play the lottery regulary there is no big win on my end. I read stories about some people playing for 30 years before they win the jackpot and other's who rarely play and win a big jackpot.  I'm just started to have to accept that maybe I've been living in a dreamworld about all of this. Everytime I scratch a ticket and win nothing and each time I check my PB, MM, Mass Cash or Lucky for Life Ticket and get nothing I get extremely depressed. Why was I able to go for so many years feeling that playing the lottery was only a losing proposition and a voluntary tax so I rarelyplayed to being the way I am now with this desperate need to win. Sorry for my rambling I'm just feeling bummed out today. Have been playing less but can't seem to give up cold turkey on the lottery. Some people on this site seem like they are upbeat people and wish I could be that way.

Sounds like you're playing for all the wrong reasons.  Buying lottery tickets is not like investing for the future.

As long as you are playing within your means, you need to look at this as pure entertainment only.

Any wins are just an added bonus.

If you are getting that depressed however, you might consider cutting back to just one game once a month. As you said yourself, the people who

rarely play are sometimes the ones to score that big jackpot.

Cold turkey could work for some, others could be even more depressed, in knowing that now they will never win anything.

Good luck going forward shyguitar! 

I have about 4 or 5 friends who are absolutely sure they will win the JP one day. Even after i tell them that 99.9999% of people who play will never win the JP in their lifetime, it doesn't phase them.

Btw, they spend up to 30 to 50 bucks or more a week on tickets.

After talking to them extensively, I've come to the conclusion that in their mind, the only way out of the rat race is by winning, and their determination is set in stone. I have no problem with their enthusiasm, just their unrealistic expectations.

Shake it up.

Do something different.

But if it ain't fun for ya anymore, hang it up.

Good luck!

I would venture to say that a high percentage of us here, share your friends enthusiasm, myself included.

I spend about the same as you per week on average.

"I spend about the same as you per week on average".

I don't spend that much, my friends do. I buy maybe one or two tickets for the Fantasy Five every week.

I hope you get the JP.

Whoops...I missed that one! 

 Thank you. I will get a jackpot, not a matter of if, but when.

I like the idea of quiting cold turkey and never winning anything. Sounds like quite a challenge.

Hey don't let it get you down...it's just random...I'll tell you what too.... ever since that guy in S.C. dropped $2 on a powerball ticket and freakin won a 265 million dollar jackpot...I can't make myself buy a whole lot of tickets so do what i do and just buy at least one ticket for every drawing and no more than 10 for jackpots over 100 million that way at least your in it but if you don't win you haven't spent a whole lot of BILL money...but its just random I keep hoping I'll win one day but if I don't I can say at least I tried without breaking the bank...

Well you might score some cold turkey leftovers the day after Thanksgiving. Wouldn't that constitute a win?         

Well I saved up $10k to spend on the lottery and the only workable method I have found requires $5k for at least 20 draws which is $100k and I don't have that much cash laying around the house.

Im not sure what to do??

Your best bet is to contact someone who is shrewd, has deep pockets and values the idea of saving his money from excessive lottery playing.

What I'm trying to say Ronnie,........is to PM THRIFTY to see if maybe he could finance your proven methods.

Or if that option doesn't pan out, consider holding up one of your small town banks. Should be good for at least 30-40K anyways.

And as a last resort, consider going on welfare and food stamps. I've heard many stores will redeem the food stamps for lotto tickets. 

In the world of gambling there is not one bet that exists that the player is supposed to win.

Some people seem to have a really hard tome with that concept.

Casinos, racetracks, lotteries and bookies make multi-billions because as much as being in the gambling business they are in the ego business.

Yeah Right...