[andomar]

> The lottery is about giving up something of little value ($1 or $2) for some entertainment and the chance at a truly life-changing situation

Wish that were true. Organizers usually take 90% of the money. Just a tiny percentage is paid out.

Like Voltaire said: "Lotteries are a tax on stupidity"

[smegger001]

Except that wasn't Voltaire it was the economist Sir William Petty. In fact Voltaire made his fortune on the lottery. He found a exploit in the rules of the particular implementation of the lottery allowing him to guarantee a win and high pay out.

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/05/how-voiltair...

[hilbert42]

I've never had an urge to buy lottery tickets or gamble for money. Mathematically, I know the odds of me winning are highly unlikely so my non-urge turns further into complete disinterest, I can pass by lottery shops and rolls of scratch lottery cards in shops and not even notice them.

I've only been in one lottery and I was forced to enter against my wishes - that was the draft/conscription which, unfortunately, I did win - along with many others.

If I've an interest in lotteries/gambling then it's to question why I'm so disinterested in the subject compared to others. I've not been able to answer that adequately.

[mod]

I agree, and I don't see how it contradicts what I said at all.