So I thought I'd share some recent very boring experiences from NY.
I was recently in NY and bought tickets for the NY Lotto (once only) and bought PB and MM tickets regularly.
Some dollars and some dreams, it would have been so much fun to figure out how to deal with the winning while on vacation, flying there coach, flying back private or first class.
Unfortunately, that didn't work, as the one time I am in New York it does not win, of course. Instead, as you know, it went to Illinois and Arizona, respectively.
I went with quick picks mostly, I won 1$ and 2$, I did not break even. are you supposed to get the ticket back or do you only get the pay out receipt? I checked my numbers and there were no jackpot winners or second prize winners, but still. Love the little chime the terminal plays!
At one of the stores there was this one woman who gave "call bets" to the clerk for the "Pick3" and she stared into the fridge at the numbers on the produce or the price list or god knows what to get inspired. Really held the queue up when all I wanted was a 1$ qp.
I also went to the Resortsworld Casino, it was quite strange, we have some slot parlours here but this place, you could really tell they were trying to disorientate you with the design/layout they had. Popeyes was a let down and the fountain drink was the most disgusting Pepsi I have ever had, it was really salty and tasted chlorinated. Are fountain drinks made with tap water, too?
I did the Skeeball promo and got 15$, hooray! I was up and down the 15$, put 13$ of mine in and decided that was it, played down to 0.03$ for a "worthless" souvenir ticket. I didn't want to invest more money to possibly get the 50 points for the scratch-off promo that everybody lined up for.
What generally surprised me were the scratchers that people discarded everywhere, house entrances, street corners, even those toilet stall pocket thingies in the mall.
Bought some PB and MM tickets from a vending machine, something I've wanted to do ever since finding out the US has that, kinda kooky but really fun. Fudged it and accidentally picked the Megaplier.
On my last day I went out after the rain down pour (beautiful!) and checked my tickets in the neighborhood bodega, most of the tickets could not be read because the barcode was allegedly not readable or the ticket was invalid. I was shocked at how spotty this was as the tickets were even as I kept them in an envelope. Should I report to the LC that I believe this store has a faulty scanner?
The lottery website states anyone can buy a subscription online as long as they are physically in the state and over 18, you can put in foreign countries and residencies and zip codes, so you don't have to be a citizen. However, this didn't work for me and the customer service got back to me telling me it was most likely the third party database that was not up to date so no luck.
So I bought a 26 draw MM quick pick as I didn't want to plunk down more money for PB, which I prefer for the odds.
I also finally understand about the Patels the users on this board always reference, all these lotto clerk seem to be Indian/sub-continental. Most were very polite though and wished me good luck.
Sorry if this stream-of-consciousness doesn't interest you, just thought I'd share my experiences. And if you hear a 26 draw single qp NY ticket won the jackpot, it might just be me, lol.
On an unrelated note I once again had a blast, I don't know who claims NYers are s, they are all polite softies to me lol. Went up on the WTC observatory, great views of the city, nice to see the break has been bridged somewhat, very moving.