The Lottery Was Not Created For Poor People To Play

Reply #77

Stack47 — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 07:20:58 GMT

It probably depends on the store in KY because I was told both ways. Had I not saw someone purchase scratch-offs with an EBT card, I wouldn't think that was possible either.

Reply #76

RJOh — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 05:10:31 GMT

As I understand it in Ohio all lottery tickets transactions are supposed to be done in cash and sales are final after leaving the place of purchase.

Reply #75

Stack47 — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 02:44:01 GMT

Some stores will take debit cards for lottery tickets and some won't and if an EBT card is used as a debit card, they can be used for payment. I was told there are different types of EBT cards and the one I saw being used to purchase lottery tickets probably had a pin and could be used get cash.

I have no idea of how the public assistance system works, but based on some of the purchases I see using EBT cards, some people are getting too much.

Reply #74

myturn — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 21:36:30 GMT

At the end of the day, we all win! We all benefit from the revenue raised, whether we play or not, whether we will not.

It's a win win situation

Reply #73

Lucky Loser — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 17:51:31 GMT

Great response!! This is what the lottery commissions bank on...the simple yet 'shot among the stars' chance that one could instantly be a millionaire with a buck or two. I beg to differ that mostly rich or well-off folks are playing these games because it doesn't stand to reason for them to 'need' the money and 'wish' they could hit in order to enjoy a better lifestyle. The rich and well-off are already enjoying very good lifestyles and money is generally no object to them for anything they may... [ More ]

Reply #72

RJOh — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 07:06:51 GMT

If people are using their EBT cards to buy lottery tickets then they are being aided by merchants who are making money doing it. They probably are the ones also making money by discounting their winning tickets.

Reply #71

Stack47 — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 06:42:11 GMT

We could substitute cigarettes for lottery tickets because almost all the stores that sell tickets, sell smokes and ask why they promote tobacco products to people who are on public assistance. When you think about it, they could get off public assistance after purchasing lottery tickets and winning a jackpot and can't say after buying smokes.

Reply #70

Stack47 — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 06:32:44 GMT

I was next in line and after seeing the look on my face, the clerk assured me it was legal. My guess is it was how the clerk rang it up because the state law prohibits purchasing lottery tickets using an EBT card. In stores that won't take an EBT card as payment for lottery tickets, they probably do it the old fashioned way by selling something they bought using their card.

The real problem is when they win a bunch of money, don't tell the welfare people, and continue receiving public assista... [ More ]

Reply #69

noise-gate — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 04:57:06 GMT

I think you are mistaken, the folks who run these lotteries really don't care who they target, just as long as people make a wager, whether they be rich or poor .

Out here in California the State Lottery has this slogan Just imagine what a Buck could do - if that is not a brilliant marketing ploy, l don't know what is. It could very well be sending a signal to people who are collecting beer cans bottles that there is hope though ever so slightly of winning millions . All one has to do is fork... [ More ]

Reply #68

Drenick1 — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 03:23:56 GMT

From what I have been informed the cash that gets funded to some EBT cards are not supplemental security income but actually a cash debit account in which the recipient can do as they wish. It is just another form of entitlement that is offered to people who qualify for this aid.

I have no issues with those who truly need the help but it seems many are taking advantage of the system.

Reply #67

mikeintexas — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 01:13:10 GMT

That post you quoted has been making me fume since I read it a couple of days ago, esp. this part: Once they have qualified for assistance that money is theirs and they can spend it however they see fit.

The money was intended to help with proper nutrition, housing or other necessities, not someone's vices. It's the same sort of childish reasoning I once used as a young boy and my momma used to later joke about. I was wanting something and my mother told me she didn't have enough money and... [ More ]

Reply #66

pickone4me — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 22:25:10 GMT

I am not aware of cash benefits coming with those EBT cards, just for food. Are you talking about supplemental security income being put on those cards, if it is, then it is a non issue then.

Reply #65

Drenick1 — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 20:59:36 GMT

I have actually witnessed the purchase of lottery tickets with a EBT/food stamp card. Apparently some people not only receive food benefits but also cash each month to spend ANYWHERE that accepts these cards. The ones that only have a food balance cannot purchase anything else other than food but those who do receive cash payouts are the ones who we always hear about in the news.

These entitlement benefits are electronically transferred each month and are placed on the same card.

Reply #64

pickone4me — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 15:18:11 GMT

I find it hard to believe scratch offs were purchased with an EBT card. The way it is suppose to work, is that if there is any non food items, you have to pay the rest in cash...

Reply #63

Drenick1 — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 20:45:47 GMT

Would that include protesters as well

Reply #62

THRIFTY — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 20:34:32 GMT

FINANCIALLY DESPERATE, IGNORANT, GREEDY AND LAZY PEOPLE WHO PLAY THE LOTTERY?

I am joking.LOL

Reply #61

Stack47 — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 19:19:07 GMT

There are plenty of anti-gambling groups in every state that successfully delayed or prevented creations of state lotteries and casinos. And that's who started the it's a tax on the poor mantra. Lots of members are pointing out that people on public assistance purchase lottery tickets and I watched the purchase of scratch-offs using an EBT card.

While I understand and agree there is fine line on whether or not people on public assistance should purchase lottery tickets, the anti-gambling peop... [ More ]

Reply #60

Coin Toss — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 05:27:15 GMT

Numbers game

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Numbers game, also known as a numbers racket, policy racket, Italian lottery, or black pool, is an illegal lottery played mostly in poor neighborhoods in the United States, wherein a bettor attempts to pick three digits to match those that will be randomly drawn the following day. In recent years, the number would be the last three digits of the handle the amount race track bettors placed on race day at a major racetrack published in... [ More ]

Reply #59

savagegoose — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 04:47:03 GMT

how manypeople are on food stamps? what % of them buy lotto tickets? as a gov ,you want to take money from the largeest massof people at a small % of their income , small so its not noticed lotto tickets is a great way to do that,. and the return from lotto , is prob a greater % than public assistance return from taxes.

Reply #58

THRIFTY — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 04:41:50 GMT

The United states government should create a $79 Billion dollars pork program for its citizens to have fun playing the lottery.

Who can be a great director for this pork program?

PORK?

1. Taxpayer dollars spent in Washington, DC on worthless, minute garbage, sponsored in Congressional bills. Also known as pork-barreling.

2. A former Presidential intern during the mid to late 1990s.

Pork is the single-largest reason for the gross overspending of our taxpayer doll... [ More ]

Reply #57

onlymoney — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 04:40:24 GMT

Or, the person can win multiple lower tier prizes either way, spread out or all at once, to keep the dream continuously financed by the wonderful citizens (losing tickets holders) of whatever state they play in.

Reply #56

onlymoney — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 04:29:14 GMT

I don't blame you for not trusting them. The p-3 has multiple pre-tests and post-tests, justified by illogical reasons.

Reply #55

tntea — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 03:46:27 GMT

It is sad to sit back and watch people work two or more jobs and pay taxes on all their jobs so people on assistants can play the lottery. If a person can afford a cigarette, a beer or a lottery ticket, they should not be on public assistant PERIOD! It is dead wrong and they should be ashamed of themselves.

Reply #54

THRIFTY — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 03:01:38 GMT

Your co-worker should save $2,600 first, and spend it on 1 lottery drawing once a year. She might quit playing the lottery after losing $2,600 on her first try.

Reply #53

THRIFTY — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 02:54:13 GMT

Do not be so dramatic. Playing the lottery is very entertaining.

Reply #52

THRIFTY — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 02:49:42 GMT

The lottery is capitalism at its finest. Oh, I forgot that they have a lottery in China.

Reply #51

THRIFTY — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 02:45:15 GMT

You made it seem like we did not know the difference between tangible and intangible.

Reply #50

THRIFTY — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 02:41:49 GMT

It helps the lottery bottomline and whoever wins the big prizes.

Reply #49

THRIFTY — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 02:39:41 GMT

Lazy and greedy people never play the lottery. It's entertainment

Reply #48

THRIFTY — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 02:35:25 GMT

The lottery runs checks on lottery winners, and they have to pay the money back to the government, if they ever received public assistance.

Reply #47

THRIFTY — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 02:28:51 GMT

The presumption that poor people spend more on the lottery is flat-out wrong, but don't take my word for it, ask your lottery for their demographic study.

Poor people spend money at casinos too, but they are not called Big Whales.

Reply #46

Coin Toss — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 02:05:21 GMT

Hey there, haymaker,

Take off on an insurance policy.

Reply #45

p4wanbi — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 22:46:27 GMT

I don't trust Pick 3, period.

Reply #44

Stack47 — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 22:39:22 GMT

That was the game for the poor because players could bet a dime to win $60 or a nickel to win $30. But it just wasn't for the poor because other players were betting hundreds. When the pick-3 games started, the bookies offered the same bets and same odds using the state lottery's pick-3 drawing results. There was no problems paying winners and I personally watched a runner paying $12,000 at 7:00 AM.

Reply #43

haymaker — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 22:21:48 GMT

Called Policy B/C it was mandatory in some towns ?

or was that a takeoff on insurance policy

Reply #42

onlymoney — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:05:06 GMT

I enjoy coming here to share ideas about the p-3 game.

The other reason, being that based on the time I've spent here, there seems to be a lot more people than I thought who don't fully grasp the odds against them winning a major JP in their lifetime. So maybe, just maybe I can save some people from financial ruin by enlightening them.

I'm willing to bet there are thousands who waste 20-30 dollars, or more a week on the PB and MM, and barely can afford it on such a futile effort, when they... [ More ]

Reply #41

bigguy5 — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 15:47:53 GMT

both of you are wrong ;; i am seventy nine , poor people were playing numbers when there were no lottery, right now in some state , they spend wefare checks on lottery and that a fact, you go by what state you live in, i use be a truck driver i know.

Reply #40

Lucky4Life — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 15:35:28 GMT

Just curious, if you feel so strongly (also as indicated in your signature) that the lottery is a waste why even come here? You probably won't change anyone's mind here and cause them to stop playing.

Reply #39

rcbbuckeye — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 14:19:26 GMT

I've heard that phrase for years that poor people play more. I'm about as middle class as you can get, my wife and I make good money. But we are like most other middle class people in that we're stuck with just trying to pay off bills, get kids through college and wondering if we will ever get to retire and live comfortably.

I play because it's fun for me, and....it really is the only way I will ever have a shot at retiring comfortably. Having said that, I am fully aware of the odds and reali... [ More ]

Reply #38

jjtheprince — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 14:18:37 GMT

I would say the spending is probably spread out evenly among all income groups. The rich can certainly buy way more tickets, but buying more tickets really doesn't help.

A person could buy $2,500 worth of Mega Millions tickets each drawing for the next 25 years and never win anything significant.

Reply #37

Tialuvslotto — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 13:47:35 GMT

Poor people have the same right to choose as people with more money. Their choices may be more limited, but they still have the right to make them. If they want to eat rice beans every day and enjoy a beer or buy a lottery ticket once in a while, that is their choice.

Even if they are on benefits. Once they have qualified for assistance that money is theirs and they can spend it however they see fit.

Reply #36

Coin Toss — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 07:41:39 GMT

What is now the Pick 3 run by the states started out as 'policy' in the poorer sections of towns and the bet was 5 cents.

Gambling appeals to the poor and the working class because it's really the only hope they have of ever making a really big score.

Reply #35

Taurus$ — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 06:03:05 GMT

LM, hey i gotta agree with you on this one. I can see you are being assertive and not overly aggressive. Sure you may be right that it is the uneducated class that has a higher percentage of lottery players.The educated class does not play as much because they have higher incomes.Middle class and working class people are the bulk of frequent players i am sure, because i am one of them and i see a lot more like me play the lotteries. The poor are a step down from the working poor, who may actuall... [ More ]

Reply #34

RJOh — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 05:53:19 GMT

when I pay for cigs, beer, weed and/or wine, I IMMEDIATELY get what I paid for

When you buy a lottery ticket you're only buying a chance to win a prize, most players know that.

Reply #33

onlymoney — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 04:22:50 GMT

True, but when I pay for cigs, beer, weed and/or wine, I IMMEDIATELY get what I paid for, but when I spend money on tickets with a mindset filled with unrealistic expectations, I just spent hard earned money on a chance, and not a very good one to say the least.

I feel more gratified when I purchase tangible things, as opposed to pieces of paper that most likely will never benefit me because of the high odds against me winning the JP.

Unless I have a system that is grounded in success, it... [ More ]

Reply #32

Todd — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 01:57:27 GMT

Lots of great commentary here. Just goes to show that any thread has the opportunity to become great.

Reply #31

RJOh — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 01:14:43 GMT

Lottery tickets are as affordable as a six pack, a pack of cigarettes or a bottle of wine and yet nobody says they weren't created for poor people.

Reply #30

jjtheprince — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 00:40:13 GMT

Even if one is poor, there are still ways they can easily afford a few MM or PB tickets here and there.

An older guy I know collects aluminum cans and other scrap metal and sells it to buy some lottery tickets. He's not really losing anything by doing that.

Reply #29

clifford1944 — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 00:22:46 GMT

Here in Oklahoma the old retired like to play at the casino. It's the excitement and lights that makes them feel young I guess. They sit there and look around for a while before putting in another token. They found one guy dead at the slot and they think he was dead for a couple days.

There's also math geeks like me who think they can beat the system.

Reply #28

maringoman — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 00:01:26 GMT

It is great advice but like all great advice out there, it falls on deaf ears.

Reply #27

destinycreation — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:44:14 GMT

Rich people have no need to play the lottery. They overlook the game of lottery. If they do play, it's only for fun. They don't play expecting to win anything. They don't care, b/c they don't need to care.

The Middle Class and Poor People , play the lottery, b/c they feel they need to, b/c they're chasing HOPE, chasing a DREAM of more money and a better lifestyle, or at least, some supplemental income, that is conceivably within their reach [this is what they Believe].

I believe that the M... [ More ]

Reply #26

LottoMetro — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:32:53 GMT

Interesting thread going here......lol

Less than 30% of lottery players are low income ( $30,000). The presumption that poor people spend more on the lottery is flat-out wrong, but don't take my word for it, ask your lottery for their demographic study. Popular media likes to say so, but statistically-speaking, it just isn't all that true. Judging by percent of income is a tricky subject....you could also say poor people spend a larger percent of income on rent, alcohol, video games, food, in... [ More ]

Reply #25

THRIFTY — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:31:18 GMT

LOTTERY STOP LOSS LIMIT TO MINIMIZE LOSSES

Reply #24

THRIFTY — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:27:20 GMT

I am a frugal lottery player regardless of the lottery tickets cost.

Reply #23

p4wanbi — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:22:26 GMT

throughout two years of being a member here...the most I see from you, THRIFTY is negativity. Leave people alone and don't start a topic once in awhile just to say only the RICH and Middle class can afford to spend big money. How much is big? $5 game? You contradict yourself a lot, do you realize that? Are you posting negative lines because you have lost so much

Reply #22

THRIFTY — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:21:56 GMT

Why not increase all lottery draw games to $5, $10, $20, $30 and $50 per ticket then

Reply #21

THRIFTY — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:13:05 GMT

I am very supportive of lottery draw games like Powerball $2 per ticket and Monopoly Millionaires' Club $5 per ticket, because they are premium lottery games geared towards the Rich and Middle class that can afford to spend big money.

Reply #20

Artist77 — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:11:10 GMT

Thrifty?????? Why don't you go back and count your posts to the people of LP where you tell us not to play the lottery or to play it very rarely.

Reply #19

THRIFTY — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:07:24 GMT

I never told you specifically not to play the lottery. I do not want to change your perception about me.

Reply #18

Artist77 — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:03:07 GMT

It is Thrifty's way or the Highway.....lol. I agree with you Todd. Look at all the people who buy $20 scratchers.

Reply #17

THRIFTY — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:03:04 GMT

The USA lottery is a $79 Billion dollars per year industry, there is no way in hell that poor people spend most of that money on the lottery.

Reply #16

Todd — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:01:41 GMT

Awesome post. You're bound to be more lucky with a positive attitude. I can't tell you how many times I've seen that in a casino. Positive energy leads to luck and success. (A good wagering strategy helps too...

Reply #15

Todd — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:59:11 GMT

I agree with what you've said here, but the problem with thirfty is that he seems to say that just because he doesn't like the idea of a $5 game, that nobody should be able to buy it. In his world people should be able to play scratch games for $5, $10, $15, whatever, but God forbid that a draw game is $5. Give me a break.

It's like anything in life: don't buy it if you can't afford it or don't like it.

The lottery is entertainment, not an investment. If you are more entertained by playing... [ More ]

Reply #14

THRIFTY — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:56:03 GMT

I assumed that you meant to say that. I should have quoted you instead of assuming. My apologies to you Todd. It is the reason that I quoted your statement and posted it on this thread.

Reply #13

Artist77 — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:53:56 GMT

Somebody really wants to start a fight with Todd here.

I see a lot of poor looking elderly people play in DC all the time and they look like they really cannot afford it. $40-$60 is too much for me even. And as others have said and studies have shown over and over, the poor spend a higher percentage of their income on the lottery.

Reply #12

weshar75 — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:53:37 GMT

Thrifty I play the lotto and I use to go to the casino and I am poor. But what I do with my money is none of your business and you know that you are a very negative person on lottery post. Not to mention you play the lotto too so stop being so negative. Cheer up thrifty try being positive for once.-weshar75

Reply #11

THRIFTY — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:50:41 GMT

DO NOT PLAY THE LOTTERY, IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO PLAY

Reply #10

Todd — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:50:34 GMT

Thank you so much for quoting me. Now I'll quote you:

Todd does not agree with me, but poor people cannot support the $79 Billion per year USA lottery industry all by themselves.?

By THRIFY

Clearly, you are making the statement that I think poor people should support the $79 Billion per year USA lottery industry all by themselves . That is a lie, and you have been called out on it.

Do not speak for me. Speak only for yourself.

Reply #9

THRIFTY — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:29:13 GMT

By your logic, only middle class and rich people play $5 scratch games. We all know that's not true. By Todd, Northrop.https://www.lotterypost.com/thread/283142

Reply #8

Goon — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:05:00 GMT

I won 300 dollars last month that money saved my butt. Im poor and the lottery is a good option because if I win it could pull me up.

Reply #7

maringoman — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:04:25 GMT

The rich can spend 1% of their income on lottery and not feel it. With that said, there was a study in the Boston Globe that showed Chelsea MA which is one of the poorest cities in the commonwealth leads in per capita spending on lottery. The people who really shouldn't be playing are the ones who are playing hard. Poor neighborhoods have convenience stores every 5 blocks.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/06/04/massachusetts-lottery-often-provides-aid-affluent-and-takes-from-poor/lkFzu37... [ More ]

Reply #6

Marilyn222 — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 21:49:03 GMT

I think the lottery is for everybody who wish to play, regardless and at the right age of course.

Reply #5

Todd — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 21:43:38 GMT

Please don't speak for me. I said no such thing.

Reply #4

jjtheprince — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 20:44:46 GMT

If you think about it, it's really the only way the poor can potentially get ahead.

Reply #3

THRIFTY — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 18:12:31 GMT

Todd does not agree with me, but poor people cannot support the $79 Billion per year USA lottery industry all by themselves.

I am glad that you like my avatar.

Reply #2

Crazy Wombat — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 18:07:16 GMT

There was this young newly married couple from England at the casino in Monte Carlo ... wanted so bad to win some money, they met this kindly older gentleman who would ... for $100 in francs at that time would give them the secret to winning big at the casino. They looked at one another and being young, they jumped at the chance of a lifetime.

They paid him the francs and he proceeded to tell them the secret ... you must have a bankroll ! They looked at each other as he scurried away with the... [ More ]

Reply #1

music* — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 18:03:00 GMT

THRIFTY , I like your avatar. Darth Vader , very impressive . Luke I am your Father .

I agree that the poor spend less on the lottery then the higher wage earners. Thanks for setting us straight.

The Lottery Was Not Created For Poor People To Play

THRIFTY — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 17:04:21 GMT

Why would the lottery promote products to people that can't afford to play? The middle class and the rich play the most, because they can afford it.