Do you think more people play the lottery

Reply #16

dingo — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:16:44 GMT

Lottery sale is going slow in this period. In California, the jackpot's increase about $2Mil to $3Mil each time.

Americans are cutting back everything, including lottery plays.

Reply #15

charmed7 — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:21:24 GMT

Here in Michigan, things are really tight for everyone, Why not play a hunch,

or license plate that kind of sticks out. Or that dream that u had last night.

I think the God looks out for all of us if just listen to the little hunches we r

given through out the day Good Luck everyone Maybe TODAY is your day.

Charmed7

Chillie Michigan Dont forget to VOTE

Reply #14

Jimhowlett — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:25:16 GMT

I have been waiting for the JP to hit $50 million (which hasn't happened for relatively a while) for MM before I spend. Occasionally, if I think I'm having a lucky day, I'll buy one or two QPs for the game. But I usually spend $5 per drawing ($10 a week) on it. Now I'm waiting because times are tough and I have to budget better.

Reply #13

Stack47 — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:59:34 GMT

That's what I have been doing. I have been spending less on powerball and mega millions and more on the pick3 and pick 4 games.

Most people feel lucky winning $150 playing Mega Millions or $100 playing Powerball after spending $5 a drawing for an entire year. The same hope of winning the jackpot was there when times were good and players didn't have much to show for the money paid for a dream. There are others games with much smaller jackpots and players can get more back something for their... [ More ]

Reply #12

Jimhowlett — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:38:17 GMT

If you read my statement again, I never said it was good or bad (from my own perspective, but not necessarily theirs). But like it or not, a bunch of people play the lottery because it gives them hope, especially those in low-income families.

I just read an article by Warren Buffet. Basically, he said when people are afraid, you take risks (meaning when the economy is in shambles and nobody wants to invest, invest) and when people are taking risks, be afraid (meaning when times are great and

Reply #11

spy153 — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:42:07 GMT

That's what I have been doing. I have been spending less on powerball and mega millions and more on the pick3 and pick 4 games. (Hasn't helped one bit though. KY is my kryptonite! I haven't won a single thing in real cash since I moved here 3 years ago when playing in ky. I was planning on stopping that little trend this week for that very reason. And only spending less on the jackpot games. I can play in TN and win something. )

And, according to news stories, sales have gone down during the... [ More ]

Reply #10

time*treat — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:13:31 GMT

My guess would be anyone with cash to spare will be able to pick up some nice bargains this Xmas shopping season. Any takers on it starting before Thanksgiving, this year? Like, Nov 1, stores take down the hallowe'en decorations and immediately put up Santa?

(how long has that 'embed media' button been there

Reply #9

guesser — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:26:16 GMT

The LAST thing we need is a privatized lottery.

And I take a hard issue with your 'one good way to hope is to play the lottery' statement. That's NOT a good way to hope.

As far as what to invest in in a recession, it's sure not Casinos, go take a look at how their stocks are doing compared to 2 years ago, and then compare that to Beer, SodaPop, McDonald's, YUM Brandstoday.... but if you want long-term upside potential, sure, I'd lookat Wynn, LVS, and 5-6 others. But not today.

What to i... [ More ]

Reply #8

ThatScaryChick — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:03:26 GMT

I can see how lottery sales are going up. Playing the lottery gives many people hope that they may get lucky enough to win a big jackpot or a decent sized prize and this will allow them to retire or never really have to worry about money troubles. Now don't get me wrong, I do believe that some people are cutting back on the amount that they play (I am one of those people), but I can see some people spending more money.

Reply #7

time*treat — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:53:59 GMT

A place where I sometimes buy tickets sells all three. They are currently expanding.

Reply #6

neverwins — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:26:27 GMT

yeah I have actually read several articles about this (can't remember where any of them were from!) but there has actually been quite a large increase in lottery ticket sales due to the falling economy.

I can see why though, people hang on to any hope when they are struggling financially. For some people it could be the only thing to save them!

Amanda

Reply #5

Stack47 — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:45:37 GMT

The increase in sales might be coming from the people that usually waited for the jackpot to reach $100 million or more and spent $20 to $50 on those drawings. Maybe in these times spending $5 or $10 hoping to win a $23 million jackpot might make more sense than betting it all on one huge jackpot drawing.

On the other hand, the people that usually wager $10 on every drawing might now be wagering only $5 or are playing other lottery games that give them a better chance to win something. If the... [ More ]

Reply #4

Coin Toss — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:33:05 GMT

As money loses its spending power and becomes worth less and less people are willing to risk it more and more.

Reply #3

Jimhowlett — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:13:28 GMT

I've heard this as well. I've heard several financial experts say that in times of recession, always invest in the vice industry. I.e. beer/liquor manufactorers, casinos, prophylactics, etc.

Too bad lotteries are for the most part not privatized.

Reply #2

RJOh — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:34:19 GMT

I once read there were several items that were recession proof, among them were beer, cigarettes and lottery tickets.

Reply #1

diamondpalace — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:33:10 GMT

I don't doubt that. With the odds agaisnt each player, someone has to win. I don't play jackpot games religiously, only to put my $1 in for a chance.

Do you think more people play the lottery

Jimhowlett — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:16:44 GMT

In times like these? That is, when the nation is facing a recession? It seems to me that when cash is low, hope can't go anywhere but up, and one good way to hope is to play the lottery. I'm not saying it's right or wrong; but I'd like to know your input on this matter.

Personally, it seems to me that people may have less cash nowadays but they still make the effort to play the lottery, especially the jackpot lotteries. At least in these parts, more and more of the people I know buy tickets t... [ More ]