How much is too much to spend on lottery tickets (per week)?

[King Jan III Sobieski]

I recently saw an elderly lady spend (what I thought to be) a rather large amount of money on lottery tickets. First, what do you think is too much to spend on lottery tix? Secondly - and more importantly -, what do you think when some of these same people go on to complain about the cost of prescriptions, gas, and the instability of social security (something which many of the elderly lottery spenders are probably reliant upon).

[Spino]

I recently saw an elderly lady spend (what I thought to be) a rather large amount of money on lottery tickets. First, what do you think is too much to spend on lottery tix? Secondly - and more importantly -, what do you think when some of these same people go on to complain about the cost of prescriptions, gas, and the instability of social security (something which many of the elderly lottery spenders are probably reliant upon).

The last I checked the elderly are not immune to stupidity and foolishness.

Stacks of lottery tickets, eating out several times a week, large widescreen High Def TV's, SUV's, luxury/sports cars, plastic surgery, houses.... you'd be amazed what people of extremely limited means will blow their cash on. And if they don't have the cash... hey, any credit card will do!

[yesdachi]

I will occasionally buy a scratch off ticket for my wife when she has a rough day, even if she doesn’t win it is still fun for her and a couple dollar investment to get her happy is worth it and even better if she scratches off a winner.

If the Mega Millions is at a big number (+100 milion) I will sometimes throw in a 5 spot for a chance to change my life but that’s about it for me.

The people that are fanatical about it and run work pools and such are a little annoying and old people doing just about anything is annoying but seeing them buying a bunch of tickets and a pack of smokes while bitching about the price of food, perscrips, heating oil, ect. is a real eye-roller.

Note: I assume your poll is per week?

[rory_20_uk]

The lottery is a convenient tax on the stupid. The money can then be given to more worthy causes. The winners have a habit of splashing large amounts of it, thus again spreading the money around the economy.

The amount spent is better expressed as a percentage of disposable income.

[ajaxfetish]

I wouldn't say that the lottery is a sin, but I think any money put into it is idiotic. Since neither 'more than zero' nor 'Gah!' are options, I'll refrain from voting.

Ajax

[Xiahou]

The lottery is a convenient tax on the stupid. The money can then be given to more worthy causes. The winners have a habit of splashing large amounts of it, thus again spreading the money around the economy.

The amount spent is better expressed as a percentage of disposable income.

Yeah, basically. People can waste whatever they want on it, but they're literally throwing their money away. You have a better chance of being struck by lightning than winning any of the big state lotteries.

[HoreTore]

I recently saw an elderly lady spend (what I thought to be) a rather large amount of money on lottery tickets. First, what do you think is too much to spend on lottery tix? Secondly - and more importantly -, what do you think when some of these same people go on to complain about the cost of prescriptions, gas, and the instability of social security (something which many of the elderly lottery spenders are probably reliant upon).

Give old people a rest. They're not playing because they think they can win, they're playing because it's one of the few joys they have left in life.

The lottery is a convenient tax on the stupid. The money can then be given to more worthy causes. The winners have a habit of splashing large amounts of it, thus again spreading the money around the economy.

The amount spent is better expressed as a percentage of disposable income.

Actually, any lottery profits in this country goes straight to charity

[Dutch_guy]

If you're inclined to gamble, do it when the odds are somewhat more in your favour. Lottery tickets are a waste of money.

[Hosakawa Tito]

How much is too much to spend on lottery tickets?

More than you can afford to lose is a recipe for disaster. However, many do find gambling a form of entertainment. And as long as it's done in moderation and within one's budget...no harm done. Personally, I never saw the attraction...but I do appreciate those that "invest" in lottery games in my home state, they help keep my school taxes lower.

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

Give old people a rest. They're not playing because they think they can win, they're playing because it's one of the few joys they have left in life.

Yea, But Spending 50-60 Bucks or more at one time playing it??

[Lemur]

If you enjoy playing the lottery, by all means, do so. But if you think you have a realistic chance of winning, you're out of your mind. Personally, I have never spent a dime on the lottery and I never will.

I'm more of a card player anyway. And I've made some good money playing cards, which is more than 99.9999% of lottery players can say.

[rotorgun]

As it is written, "The love of money is the root of all evil." (Proverbs) I had to vote that the lottery is a sin on my religous principals, along with a healthy dose of good old fashioned New England fiscal conservatism. It's not really as simple as all that. In Tennessee, the lottery monies are used to fund college education scholarships for eligble students, of which my daughter is one. So I may appear as something of a hypocrite, but that aside, it is a poor excuse for what amounts to a tax by any other name. I have never seen anyone who has won the lottery end up any happier because of their new found wealth. As a matter of fact, the latter seems to be the norm. Most folks who win end up miserable, with few family or freinds, broke, or so worried about their money as to become obsessed with it. I also feel that an old saying is appropriate here: Easy come, easy go.

[LittleGrizzly]

Played the National lottery in the UK about 4-5 times since i turned 16, less than once a year, im not a paticularly big gambler... too frugal but i enjoy it.

I would say anything over $5 a week is too much

Anyone worried about potential burdens of winning the lottery im letting you know Grizzly can share the load...

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Yeah, basically. People can waste whatever they want on it, but they're literally throwing their money away. You have a better chance of being struck by lightning than winning any of the big state lotteries.

Well, technically it's not literally throwing your money away.

I think most people who buy lottery tickets do so because for a small price they can dream of happiness. No different then spending a couple bucks on an ice cream cone.

[Csargo]

I'm more of a card player anyway.

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

I spend 3.50 GBP (about 6.98 USD, 4.45 euros or 7.20 Australian dollars), at current exchange rates per week on the UK lottery. That's one row on the Wednesday one, one row on the Saturday, and another on the Euromillions.

I personally don't consider that a lot of money, or gambling even. It adds a little excitement to my life, and, with about 40% of that going to charitable causes (the other 60% going to tax and the winner), it doesn't really seem a bad thing to "donate" to. I live in hope of winning it one day - money isn't happiness, but it's the key to better lifestyle.

[PBI]

My girlfriend and I buy one ticket a week in the UK lottery. At one pound it's not really a significant sum of money, and it's fun to play and watch the draw.

Any more than that is a waste though. One ticket is enough for you to play the game, spending any more money than that is a waste since the underlying assumption is that it will increase your chances of winning, which are negligible anyway. Playing the lottery to win is obviously a futile exercise, and will having two lottery tickets be twice as fun as having one? Not really.

So I voted for the "no more than $1" option, since although strictly I spend more than that due to the exchange rate I assume the intent is really "no more than the bare minimum needed to enter".

[Viking]

Well, personally I spend 0 $.

[KukriKhan]

Young people criticizing old people for 'wasting' their money on lottery tickets.

Old people criticizing young people for 'wasting' their money on computer games.

What's the difference?

[Don Corleone]

A bunch of Italians hold a lottery with a 50% payout, they call it an extortive numbers racquet and throw everyone involved in jail.

The state assembly holds a lottery with a 10% payout, and they call it a boon for education and other underfunded agencies and pat themselves on the back.



If you want to put your money on a wager that pays out at 10% of what it should, you deserve what you get. All I have to say is if Blackjack payed out at the same rate as the lottery, Vegas would still be a gas-stop for GI's on their way to California.

My only real objection to lotteries though is that it allows state legislatures to become financially irresponsible. They increase spending in the year or two after the lottery is opened, during the initial rush, then wonder why they're running defecits after lottery-mania has settled down to its true steady-state condition.

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

Young people criticizing old people for 'wasting' their money on lottery tickets.

Old people criticizing young people for 'wasting' their money on computer games.

What's the difference?

Because that Social Secutiy Money going into it. Some Old People complain that their Meds and that are costing a lot of money, BUT, they spending a lot of money on Lottery. Does It Make Any Sense??