[cableshaft]

The comment on the site where some people play when it's a high payout more for wanting to participate in the cultural event (i.e. go see Star Wars in theaters) than the expectation that they'll win makes a lot of sense.

I think that's mainly why I get a few tickets sometimes when it gets super high, even though I know my chances of winning are significantly worse and my chances of winning at all are almost nothing.

[Splines]

More people buying doesn't change your chances - it potentially lowers your payout.

Makes me wonder if getting more people to play higher jackpots ends up evening things out in the end.

[Vraxx]

It may even out from an expected value for the purchaser point of view, but the profits keep climbing for Powerball the more people that hop on the bandwagon.