People have spent more than $100 million in the past month buying lottery tickets in North Carolina. The state is pleased with the results, but officials say the take could be even bigger.
So, what's holding things back?
Some believe it's high gas prices. Actually, these days it seems like you have to win the lottery just to be able to afford gas.
Reginald Williams drives all the time for his home improvement business. He's keeping expenses down by not buying non-necessities like lottery tickets.
"I spend $30 everyday just for $10 of gas," Williams told NBC17.
Lottery Director Tom Shaheen said the state doesn't have any solid numbers, but it doesn't take a genius to see that high gas prices have consumers holding off on buying other things.
"(Gas prices) are certainly affecting sales a bit," Shaheen said. "Somebody goes in there and puts down $50 to fill up a tank of gas, are they going to buy a lottery ticket? We hope so, but maybe not. They may not buy anything else in the store either."
The average price of gas in North Carolina is around $3. You can get three lottery tickets for that. So, which is it, gas or lottery tickets?
"Three lottery tickets or a gallon of gas?" John Malloy, a Raleigh resident said. "I have six children and six grandchildren, who has the money leftover?"
Lottery officials said their sales figures of $100 million in a little more than a month is on target, despite the high gas prices.
Officials hope the upcoming Powerball game, which gets underway at the end of May, will help perk up interest in the lottery.
After prize payouts and expenses, the lottery is expected to return around 35 perent of its sales to education.
I have not bought tickets since the first couple of days due to lack or wins. Like the many thousands who are waiting for a REAL chance for "riches" I'll only play the powerball when it arrives. I can't see playing $20.00+ a week with no return at all. I'll take my chances in SC or VA until powerball come here.
I have not bought tickets since the first couple of days due to lack or wins. Like the many thousands who are waiting for a REAL chance for "riches" I'll only play the powerball when it arrives. I can't see playing $20.00+ a week with no return at all. I'll take my chances in SC or VA until powerball come here.
The NC Lottery won't admit DIRECTLY that their scratch payout % is lower than the surrounding states.
I really don't think its the price of gas but the availabilty of games that has slowed the lottery in NC. I personally don't bother with instant tickets but I do play the powerball and Cash5 when I cross the border to get my gas in SC. Once NC gets both a powerball and cash 5 game I'm sure they'll see an increase in sales. I've noticed that when the jackpot is large there are still alot fo Nc license plates at the store where I buy my tickets.
There is a store down a couple of blocks were I live. I can just walk there to get tickets. =)
I can walk to 7-11 to buy tickets. However, I don't think they were saying people don't want to drive to a store to buy tickets. After all, everyone needs to stop at the market for food and a gas station for gas and most of those retailers have lottery terminals. I think the point was that, if someone has a tight budget and was spending $40 a week for gas at $2.19/gal and and now pays $55, that $15 has to come from somewhere, so people will normally give up things they don't consider necessities. For example, I had acrylic nails for about 7 years and would have what is called a "fill" every 3 weeks for around $16 plus tip ($20 bucks) Last year when my hours were cut, I also cut my nails.
I have not bought tickets since the first couple of days due to lack or wins. Like the many thousands who are waiting for a REAL chance for "riches" I'll only play the powerball when it arrives. I can't see playing $20.00+ a week with no return at all. I'll take my chances in SC or VA until powerball come here.
The NC Lottery won't admit DIRECTLY that their scratch payout % is lower than the surrounding states.
its screwing the players is what it boils down to.......
the methods of playing are cheaper and payouts are greater........
I agree LottoMike, when you get twice as many plays for your money, with a better payoff, it's a no-brainer! And you don't have to drive any where to get the tickets.
I have not bought tickets since the first couple of days due to lack or wins. Like the many thousands who are waiting for a REAL chance for "riches" I'll only play the powerball when it arrives. I can't see playing $20.00+ a week with no return at all. I'll take my chances in SC or VA until powerball come here.
The NC Lottery won't admit DIRECTLY that their scratch payout % is lower than the surrounding states.
its screwing the players is what it boils down to.......
The NC Lottery has admitted and directly that their scratch payout % is lower than the surrounding states. It was in the papers, the news and there's a news article right here on LP about it. It's due to the 35% going to education.
They wrote it into Lottery law when there was so much pressure from everybody and I think maybe it had to be in order to even get the commission members yes vote to pass the NC Lottery. I rather that scratch offs are lower than pick 3 and 4 and I rather have low scratcher than no lottery at all.
Right after it was announced I went down to SC and there were posters on all the registers that NC had lower scratch payout %.
As I see it, $3/gal. gas makes a $1 lottery ticket look better. I use to feel bad about buying $10 worth of lottery tickets when $10 worth of gas would fill my tank half way. The last time I almost filled my pickup and stopped at $50 to have $10 left from three twenties for lottery tickets, I didn't feel as bad (about the lottery tickets).
As I see it, $3/gal. gas makes a $1 lottery ticket look better. I use to feel bad about buying $10 worth of lottery tickets when $10 worth of gas would fill my tank half way. The last time I almost filled my pickup and stopped at $50 to have $10 left from three twenties for lottery tickets, I didn't feel as bad (about the lottery tickets).
RJOH...you winning anything on all those long drives?
Mike,
I only made a trip when the PowerBall jackpot was $200 plus(2-3 times yearly) and the MegaMillions jackpot was low but lately the MM and PB cash values have been about the same so I haven't had a good reason to drive to Indiana for tickets. If my 2 winning tickets from February expire, I probably won't ever make a trip again because every month MM seem to have a $100M+ jackpot and someone in Ohio is winning them.
I have not bought tickets since the first couple of days due to lack or wins. Like the many thousands who are waiting for a REAL chance for "riches" I'll only play the powerball when it arrives. I can't see playing $20.00+ a week with no return at all. I'll take my chances in SC or VA until powerball come here.
The NC Lottery won't admit DIRECTLY that their scratch payout % is lower than the surrounding states.
its screwing the players is what it boils down to.......
The NC Lottery has admitted and directly that their scratch payout % is lower than the surrounding states. It was in the papers, the news and there's a news article right here on LP about it. It's due to the 35% going to education.
They wrote it into Lottery law when there was so much pressure from everybody and I think maybe it had to be in order to even get the commission members yes vote to pass the NC Lottery. I rather that scratch offs are lower than pick 3 and 4 and I rather have low scratcher than no lottery at all.
Right after it was announced I went down to SC and there were posters on all the registers that NC had lower scratch payout %.
I agree with one slight correction.It was the legislature that passed the law,not the commission.I think that's what you ment.The "commission" was formed only after the law was passed.
Yes,without the mandated 35% going to education that bill would have never made it thru.Now,NC at least has the choice to play.After 20+years we'll take that,for the time being.
If gas prices are continuing to increase, people won't be buying as much lottery games in NC and/or any state they wished to play. I think people need to cut down on transportation (cars) if they want to play any of the lottery games in any state.
I have not bought tickets since the first couple of days due to lack or wins. Like the many thousands who are waiting for a REAL chance for "riches" I'll only play the powerball when it arrives. I can't see playing $20.00+ a week with no return at all. I'll take my chances in SC or VA until powerball come here.
The NC Lottery won't admit DIRECTLY that their scratch payout % is lower than the surrounding states.
its screwing the players is what it boils down to.......
The NC Lottery has admitted and directly that their scratch payout % is lower than the surrounding states. It was in the papers, the news and there's a news article right here on LP about it. It's due to the 35% going to education.
They wrote it into Lottery law when there was so much pressure from everybody and I think maybe it had to be in order to even get the commission members yes vote to pass the NC Lottery. I rather that scratch offs are lower than pick 3 and 4 and I rather have low scratcher than no lottery at all.
Right after it was announced I went down to SC and there were posters on all the registers that NC had lower scratch payout %.
I agree with one slight correction.It was the legislature that passed the law,not the commission.I think that's what you ment.The "commission" was formed only after the law was passed.
Yes,without the mandated 35% going to education that bill would have never made it thru.Now,NC at least has the choice to play.After 20+years we'll take that,for the time being.
Thanks NC picks for the correction. I'm glad somebody know the facts. We go through this with the same old person.
There is a store down a couple of blocks were I live. I can just walk there to get tickets. =)
I can walk to 7-11 to buy tickets. However, I don't think they were saying people don't want to drive to a store to buy tickets. After all, everyone needs to stop at the market for food and a gas station for gas and most of those retailers have lottery terminals. I think the point was that, if someone has a tight budget and was spending $40 a week for gas at $2.19/gal and and now pays $55, that $15 has to come from somewhere, so people will normally give up things they don't consider necessities. For example, I had acrylic nails for about 7 years and would have what is called a "fill" every 3 weeks for around $16 plus tip ($20 bucks) Last year when my hours were cut, I also cut my nails.
There is a store down a couple of blocks were I live. I can just walk there to get tickets. =)
I can walk to 7-11 to buy tickets. However, I don't think they were saying people don't want to drive to a store to buy tickets. After all, everyone needs to stop at the market for food and a gas station for gas and most of those retailers have lottery terminals. I think the point was that, if someone has a tight budget and was spending $40 a week for gas at $2.19/gal and and now pays $55, that $15 has to come from somewhere, so people will normally give up things they don't consider necessities. For example, I had acrylic nails for about 7 years and would have what is called a "fill" every 3 weeks for around $16 plus tip ($20 bucks) Last year when my hours were cut, I also cut my nails.
I can see why you chose the name Psykomo, but I don't always follow your posts too well. Of course, I'm not quite as strange as I used to be. (or the world has just gone mad and I've stayed the same?) Now maybe you meant "poll" and just made a typo or spelling error ------ or I could go outside and climb a few feet up the telephone pole and then vote. Just don't want to get too close to the wires.
I think removing my nails was a bad mistake, but I needed the extra money every month. I can't seem to reason as well because I like talking with my hands and I point a lot! LOL I even cut my own hair lately to save money. After the last one of those $9 "Value" cuts I got from a local coupon, I wouldn't have made it into the Westminster dog show. I know - maybe I'll put on some red lipstick. That always seems to help me write better. Hmm..I wonder what this syndrome is called.
The trick is to improve your algorithms so that you win just as often by playing less tickets. I don't give a rat's petoot what the state's Lottery sales are, I only care if I can WIN more than I spend.
The trick is to improve your algorithms so that you win just as often by playing less tickets. I don't give a rat's petoot what the state's Lottery sales are, I only care if I can WIN more than I spend.
I hear that !!!!!who really cares what the state or schools get out of the lottery sales. I think its that way with most people...I play to win then I have the "Fun" part.
For the record, I live 65 miles from the SC border and it's ALL I-95. My "highway car" is a 1988 Honda CRX HF with 250,000+ miles on it. It AVERAGES 45 MPG. It takes 11 gallons to fill the tank to the neck when it's "bone dry". So gas prices don't bother me too much to get a better chance at a win.
"Some believe it's high gas prices. Actually, these days it seems like you have to win the lottery just to be able to afford gas."
tell me about it.... I usually spend anywhere between 20 and 50 dollars per game per draw. and now not only have the gas prices gone up, but I'm spending more time on the road. so now all I can spend is about 5 dollars per draw.
However I only work half day Fridays about 4 hours. Thinkin about cuttin back to a 4 day week. Pay 20.00 a day in gas and only work 4 hours. And then I work downtown area and the bozos give me a 25.00 parking ticket for parking over 2 hour limit. I am not carrying my tools 4 blocks to work.
So with 45.00 gone there and after taxes for 4 hours I might just as well stay home.
i can't imagine what some with an SUV is paying to fill the tank?
anyone here got a SUV? if so how much for a full tank?
80 or 100 bucks?
I drive a Nissan Pathfinder and $20 goes past a quarter tank and half, however, I have a Honda Accord that I drive instead and that's why I don't fill it up. I have to drive it sometimes and not just let it sit there. I really need to crank it everyday. I miss my 1990 Toyota Corolla. I had it for 15 years.
I thought about selling the Pathfinder but I read in the paper today that car dealers are giving great deals on SUV's, like no payments and interest for six months, etc. and that if you want to sell a used one you won't get a good price.
I drive a minivan on the gas issue and it does cost me anywhere between &72.00 to &80.00 to fill up and that is just on the regular unleaded. What I do is I ride til it get half empty and then I fill it up again, that way I am spending the same but it does not kill my pocketbook in one lump. This way I can feel good about buying scratch off tickets which I don't do much now because they don't have a variety of them. I only live 25 minutes away from virginia and they have all that I want so on saturdays I still drive there. It will get better in NC (even if we do have the lowest % of payouts). They will eventually offer pick 3/4 pick 5 and other numbered games. Think back to how it was when other states started their lottery, they all went thru the same craziness.
I have not bought tickets since the first couple of days due to lack or wins. Like the many thousands who are waiting for a REAL chance for "riches" I'll only play the powerball when it arrives. I can't see playing $20.00+ a week with no return at all. I'll take my chances in SC or VA until powerball come here.
I have not bought tickets since the first couple of days due to lack or wins. Like the many thousands who are waiting for a REAL chance for "riches" I'll only play the powerball when it arrives. I can't see playing $20.00+ a week with no return at all. I'll take my chances in SC or VA until powerball come here.
The NC Lottery won't admit DIRECTLY that their scratch payout % is lower than the surrounding states.
There is a store down a couple of blocks were I live. I can just walk there to get tickets. =)
I really don't think its the price of gas but the availabilty of games that has slowed the lottery in NC. I personally don't bother with instant tickets but I do play the powerball and Cash5 when I cross the border to get my gas in SC. Once NC gets both a powerball and cash 5 game I'm sure they'll see an increase in sales. I've noticed that when the jackpot is large there are still alot fo Nc license plates at the store where I buy my tickets.
There is a store down a couple of blocks were I live. I can just walk there to get tickets. =)
I can walk to 7-11 to buy tickets. However, I don't think they were saying people don't want to drive to a store to buy tickets. After all, everyone needs to stop at the market for food and a gas station for gas and most of those retailers have lottery terminals. I think the point was that, if someone has a tight budget and was spending $40 a week for gas at $2.19/gal and and now pays $55, that $15 has to come from somewhere, so people will normally give up things they don't consider necessities. For example, I had acrylic nails for about 7 years and would have what is called a "fill" every 3 weeks for around $16 plus tip ($20 bucks) Last year when my hours were cut, I also cut my nails.
I have not bought tickets since the first couple of days due to lack or wins. Like the many thousands who are waiting for a REAL chance for "riches" I'll only play the powerball when it arrives. I can't see playing $20.00+ a week with no return at all. I'll take my chances in SC or VA until powerball come here.
The NC Lottery won't admit DIRECTLY that their scratch payout % is lower than the surrounding states.
its screwing the players is what it boils down to.......
why not play online?
the methods of playing are cheaper and payouts are greater........
why not play online?
the methods of playing are cheaper and payouts are greater........
I agree LottoMike, when you get twice as many plays for your money, with a better payoff, it's a no-brainer! And you don't have to drive any where to get the tickets.
That saves gas! Great concept!
If you feel you have to win the lottery to pay for gas than get a better car. Even older diesels can get close to 30.
I have not bought tickets since the first couple of days due to lack or wins. Like the many thousands who are waiting for a REAL chance for "riches" I'll only play the powerball when it arrives. I can't see playing $20.00+ a week with no return at all. I'll take my chances in SC or VA until powerball come here.
The NC Lottery won't admit DIRECTLY that their scratch payout % is lower than the surrounding states.
its screwing the players is what it boils down to.......
They wrote it into Lottery law when there was so much pressure from everybody and I think maybe it had to be in order to even get the commission members yes vote to pass the NC Lottery. I rather that scratch offs are lower than pick 3 and 4 and I rather have low scratcher than no lottery at all.
Right after it was announced I went down to SC and there were posters on all the registers that NC had lower scratch payout %.
As I see it, $3/gal. gas makes a $1 lottery ticket look better. I use to feel bad about buying $10 worth of lottery tickets when $10 worth of gas would fill my tank half way. The last time I almost filled my pickup and stopped at $50 to have $10 left from three twenties for lottery tickets, I didn't feel as bad (about the lottery tickets).
RJOH...you winning anything on all those long drives?
As I see it, $3/gal. gas makes a $1 lottery ticket look better. I use to feel bad about buying $10 worth of lottery tickets when $10 worth of gas would fill my tank half way. The last time I almost filled my pickup and stopped at $50 to have $10 left from three twenties for lottery tickets, I didn't feel as bad (about the lottery tickets).
get a prius.
RJOH...you winning anything on all those long drives?
Mike,
I only made a trip when the PowerBall jackpot was $200 plus(2-3 times yearly) and the MegaMillions jackpot was low but lately the MM and PB cash values have been about the same so I haven't had a good reason to drive to Indiana for tickets. If my 2 winning tickets from February expire, I probably won't ever make a trip again because every month MM seem to have a $100M+ jackpot and someone in Ohio is winning them.
RJOh
I have not bought tickets since the first couple of days due to lack or wins. Like the many thousands who are waiting for a REAL chance for "riches" I'll only play the powerball when it arrives. I can't see playing $20.00+ a week with no return at all. I'll take my chances in SC or VA until powerball come here.
The NC Lottery won't admit DIRECTLY that their scratch payout % is lower than the surrounding states.
its screwing the players is what it boils down to.......
They wrote it into Lottery law when there was so much pressure from everybody and I think maybe it had to be in order to even get the commission members yes vote to pass the NC Lottery. I rather that scratch offs are lower than pick 3 and 4 and I rather have low scratcher than no lottery at all.
Right after it was announced I went down to SC and there were posters on all the registers that NC had lower scratch payout %.
I agree with one slight correction.It was the legislature that passed the law,not the commission.I think that's what you ment.The "commission" was formed only after the law was passed.
Yes,without the mandated 35% going to education that bill would have never made it thru.Now,NC at least has the choice to play.After 20+years we'll take that,for the time being.
If gas prices are continuing to increase, people won't be buying as much lottery games in NC and/or any state they wished to play. I think people need to cut down on transportation (cars) if they want to play any of the lottery games in any state.
I have not bought tickets since the first couple of days due to lack or wins. Like the many thousands who are waiting for a REAL chance for "riches" I'll only play the powerball when it arrives. I can't see playing $20.00+ a week with no return at all. I'll take my chances in SC or VA until powerball come here.
The NC Lottery won't admit DIRECTLY that their scratch payout % is lower than the surrounding states.
its screwing the players is what it boils down to.......
They wrote it into Lottery law when there was so much pressure from everybody and I think maybe it had to be in order to even get the commission members yes vote to pass the NC Lottery. I rather that scratch offs are lower than pick 3 and 4 and I rather have low scratcher than no lottery at all.
Right after it was announced I went down to SC and there were posters on all the registers that NC had lower scratch payout %.
I agree with one slight correction.It was the legislature that passed the law,not the commission.I think that's what you ment.The "commission" was formed only after the law was passed.
Yes,without the mandated 35% going to education that bill would have never made it thru.Now,NC at least has the choice to play.After 20+years we'll take that,for the time being.
There is a store down a couple of blocks were I live. I can just walk there to get tickets. =)
I can walk to 7-11 to buy tickets. However, I don't think they were saying people don't want to drive to a store to buy tickets. After all, everyone needs to stop at the market for food and a gas station for gas and most of those retailers have lottery terminals. I think the point was that, if someone has a tight budget and was spending $40 a week for gas at $2.19/gal and and now pays $55, that $15 has to come from somewhere, so people will normally give up things they don't consider necessities. For example, I had acrylic nails for about 7 years and would have what is called a "fill" every 3 weeks for around $16 plus tip ($20 bucks) Last year when my hours were cut, I also cut my nails.
I'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm$$$$$$$$$$$$$$WALKINNNNNNN!!!!!!!
"O""""""yes oooooooooooReee$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$??????????JACKPOY???????????>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
PSYKOMO
There is a store down a couple of blocks were I live. I can just walk there to get tickets. =)
I can walk to 7-11 to buy tickets. However, I don't think they were saying people don't want to drive to a store to buy tickets. After all, everyone needs to stop at the market for food and a gas station for gas and most of those retailers have lottery terminals. I think the point was that, if someone has a tight budget and was spending $40 a week for gas at $2.19/gal and and now pays $55, that $15 has to come from somewhere, so people will normally give up things they don't consider necessities. For example, I had acrylic nails for about 7 years and would have what is called a "fill" every 3 weeks for around $16 plus tip ($20 bucks) Last year when my hours were cut, I also cut my nails.
I'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm$$$$$$$$$$$$$$WALKINNNNNNN!!!!!!!
"O""""""yes oooooooooooReee$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$??????????JACKPOY???????????>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
PSYKOMO
DID?????????????????????.......................WE forget to ask??????????
ANYONE.......to vote in a pole???????
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>LOLuckkkkkkkkkkkkkk$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
LOLPSYKOMO$$$$$$$$$$$
I can see why you chose the name Psykomo, but I don't always follow your posts too well. Of course, I'm not quite as strange as I used to be. (or the world has just gone mad and I've stayed the same?) Now maybe you meant "poll" and just made a typo or spelling error ------ or I could go outside and climb a few feet up the telephone pole and then vote. Just don't want to get too close to the wires.
I think removing my nails was a bad mistake, but I needed the extra money every month. I can't seem to reason as well because I like talking with my hands and I point a lot! LOL I even cut my own hair lately to save money. After the last one of those $9 "Value" cuts I got from a local coupon, I wouldn't have made it into the Westminster dog show. I know - maybe I'll put on some red lipstick. That always seems to help me write better. Hmm..I wonder what this syndrome is called.
The trick is to improve your algorithms so that you win just as often by playing less tickets. I don't give a rat's petoot what the state's Lottery sales are, I only care if I can WIN more than I spend.
The trick is to improve your algorithms so that you win just as often by playing less tickets. I don't give a rat's petoot what the state's Lottery sales are, I only care if I can WIN more than I spend.
I hear that !!!!!who really cares what the state or schools get out of the lottery sales. I think its that way with most people...I play to win then I have the "Fun" part.
For the record, I live 65 miles from the SC border and it's ALL I-95. My "highway car" is a 1988 Honda CRX HF with 250,000+ miles on it. It AVERAGES 45 MPG.
It takes 11 gallons to fill the tank to the neck when it's "bone dry". So gas prices don't bother me too much to get a better chance at a win. 
"Some believe it's high gas prices. Actually, these days it seems like you have to win the lottery just to be able to afford gas."
tell me about it.... I usually spend anywhere between 20 and 50 dollars per game per draw. and now not only have the gas prices gone up, but I'm spending more time on the road. so now all I can spend is about 5 dollars per draw.
i can't imagine what some with an SUV is paying to fill the tank?
anyone here got a SUV? if so how much for a full tank?
80 or 100 bucks?
Gas prices do not cut in on my lottery purchases.
However I only work half day Fridays about 4 hours. Thinkin about cuttin back to a 4 day week. Pay 20.00 a day in gas and only work 4 hours. And then I work downtown area and the bozos give me a 25.00 parking ticket for parking over 2 hour limit. I am not carrying my tools 4 blocks to work.
So with 45.00 gone there and after taxes for 4 hours I might just as well stay home.
i can't imagine what some with an SUV is paying to fill the tank?
anyone here got a SUV? if so how much for a full tank?
80 or 100 bucks?
I thought about selling the Pathfinder but I read in the paper today that car dealers are giving great deals on SUV's, like no payments and interest for six months, etc. and that if you want to sell a used one you won't get a good price.
I drive a minivan on the gas issue and it does cost me anywhere between &72.00 to &80.00 to fill up and that is just on the regular unleaded. What I do is I ride til it get half empty and then I fill it up again, that way I am spending the same but it does not kill my pocketbook in one lump. This way I can feel good about buying scratch off tickets which I don't do much now because they don't have a variety of them. I only live 25 minutes away from virginia and they have all that I want so on saturdays I still drive there. It will get better in NC (even if we do have the lowest % of payouts). They will eventually offer pick 3/4 pick 5 and other numbered games. Think back to how it was when other states started their lottery, they all went thru the same craziness.
The two closest gas stations to my apartment are:
Gulf $3.199 regular
Sunoco $3.219
May 8, 2006
Why not have a lottery on gas
Gas prices in Mahopac NY 5/26:
Gulf $3.279 regular
Sunoco $3.279
Mobil $3.279
They've actually come down slightly.