[bryanlarsen]

If you bought tickets systematically with a reasonable expectation of making a profit, then the tickets should be tax-deductible as an expense.

Normally lottery tickets aren't tax deductible because of the 'reasonable expectation' test.

[prostoalex]

But this assumes consistent buying in the past, while the original poster's statement assumed one-time buying binge once the jackpot hits the level to make it worthwhile.