Comment #1

gjabiz — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 14:10:22 GMT

However, a work around, apparently, is to have PREMIUM scratchers, in the 50 to 100 dollar range, with bigger jackpots and BIGGER prizes for losing tickets and second chance deals. So, to be correct, as I was told, there won't be larger prizes in newer games, except in the ones that have much higher ticket prices, so a 100 dollar scratch off is the weapon they are using against the online (and on phone) apps for sports betting and Polymarket like sites. Still, I wil... [ More ]

Original Blog Entry: More gossip. And why I will buy scratchers in Nov.

gjabiz — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 01:03:22 GMT

My sources tell me this Holiday season, states are front loading scratch off tickets, and we expect to see many post here just before Thanksgiving in USA, and more MILLION dollar winners than ever. Why?

Take this with a grain of salt, just more gossip. The reason which makes sense to me, but who knows?...is due to last year's Holiday sales lagging for the first time in a long time and the reason is (allegedly) is due to Sports Gambling and sites like Polymarket.

Legalized sports betting is a relatively new thing, Here in OHIO, the first year set all kinds of records and we quickly became one of the leaders in sports gambling.

In Nov./Dec., football, both college and pros, enter the playoff rounds. And in the past couple of years, this has surged for betting. And now the bet on almost anything sites are also offering alternatives to gamblers as to where to put their money. And some of the parleys in sports, and long shots on Polymarket will pay more than most lotteries do, all things being equal.

The newness of these two things, again, allegedly, is putting a dent in consumer spending on lottery tickets this time of the year.

There is a theory, that is why the big games have big jackpots this time of the year, and there is DATA to support these larger jackpot claims.

But now, with the wide spread promotion of Sports betting and the many apps available, it should not surprise us if, indeed, the lotteries are planning a defense against this, one way by front loading Holiday lotteries, or at least the gossip I was whispered.

True or not, I am planning to deviate from my norm, and actually play some of these scratchers the first couple of days they come out. If true, right here, you will see a lot of news about big winners.

If the economy continues the trend we are on, it is not surprising if lottery players look to other forms of gambling to see if they fare any better. Most of us only have so much money to spend on these things, so a small part of budget, at least through the Holidays, will be put aside for some of the NEW high dollar scratchers.

But my sources, could be full of it, and you all know what it is right...what the lottery gives us most days.... [ More ]