Starvos tends to reflect what other Floridians say to me. Obviously, this is not scientific but I bought tickets also and this did not detract from my regular play. In fact, because it is the holiday season many people have told me they hardley every play but bought several tickets for this one.
Let me also inform you that with the advent of clever scratch-off marketing techniques the scratch-off games and quick pick process has become a gold mine for Florida. This type of play has attracted a different kind of lottery player. It takes no brain power at all, just plunk down the money and play. Another case in point, they started a new adder to Fantasy5 (pick5) in April. For another dollar at the terminal you can take a chance on an instant win of money up to $500. Let me tell you that sales have increased quite a bit. Daily pools used to be around 160 to 180k and are now running around 260 to 280k. Money to play coming from other games, don't think so.
I view the easy play games as attractions for players who really did not get involved with Lottery play in the past. These are new customers instead of old customers spreading their money thinner amongst the other games.
However, you make some good points that give me reason to look even closer at the numbers.
Let me also point out another overlooked point about Lottery gambling that will meet with some raised eyebrows. I do a lot of talking with folks who buy tickets at several places where tickets are sold and many of them tell me they have started buying tickets in the past couple of years for a reason most of us do not fit into the gambling scenerio. Frankly, many people have told me because of the pressures of today, loss of jobs, loss of self worth, serious reductions in salary levels and a bigger separation between the have and have nots; and knowing that they will probably never progress any further up the salary ladder are now buying chances to increase their lot in life.
One day a women told me she makes enough to get by but hates her existance and was buying five dollars worth of Lotto quick picks in hopes some little something might change in her life. She told me in the past she never would have even dared to buy any because of peer pressure against the Lottery. She said her life was so miserable that she did not care anymore what other people thought. She went on to say that even the dream of possibily winning something makes days she buys tickets more bearable. This is not an isolated case, I have heard variations of this story many times over the past several months.
I am not quite old enough to remember it but the depression in the 30's produced issues a lot like what is going on now. It is kind of like misery loves company. People would spend several dollars to see marathon dancers, dance for hours to the point of total exhaustion to give their life more meaning. Many of those people could ill afford the tickets to watch but they bought them anyway.
I feel today's lottery for some is like that, there was an old movie called "They shoot horses, don't they?" which develops that theme. You might want to check it out.
I guess my whole point in this is to tell you that more and more money will be spent for Lottery games until such time as personal dignity and happiness levels increase in this country. You may think I am over the top on this one but check it out for yourself.
Floridian