Ask:
I read today in the Globe and Mail that Canadians lost $14.5 billion in gambling last year alone. What a shocking figure!
What are your thoughts on lotteries & gambling .. .a waste of money? harmless fun? an addicts nightmare? All of the above?
I don't play lotteries myself but only because I'm way too frugal but both my parents and my in-laws don't miss a week without a lottery ticket. It fuels their dreams. They see it as harmless fun.
Answer:
I see it as a waste of money. My dad buys several every week...I think he would have a million if he had invested all that all this time!
Answer:
If it's an addiction or puts a strain on your finances then it's harmful. If your family is struggling just to get by then it's harmful.
I don't play so for me it's a waste of money. How many homeless families could have been fed with the amount of money people lost. On the other hand I know it's part of the state budget and goes to support/fund some projects.
I have a better change of getting bit by a great white shark and to be struck by lightning than to win the lottery. The last time I checked great whites weren't swimming up the Mississippi
Answer:
Waste of money!!! I hate to be in a convenience store and see the people buying $20 or more worth of lottery tickets! Then they will pull out food stamps to buy their milk. I only play one ticket when the money gets up to $25 million or more. I always laugh at myself because $7 million isn't enough for me?
It sort of bothers me that higher education, which I enjoyed under Florida and Georgia's lotteries, are paid for by many people who will not be attending college. Instead they are spending money they probably don't have to help those who would be a little more likely to be able to pay for college themselves. It seems like a vicious circle to me, but yet, I don't want to deny my children the opportunities the lottery has brought either. It is sort of a moral dilemma for me.
But, I voted against the Florida lottery all those years ago! I think I was 18 or 19 when it came up for a vote in the late 80s.
Answer:
I think it is a total waste of money myself. I guess buying just one once in a while is okay, but what's the point of that?
Not to stereotype, but the people you usually see buying and frantically scratching them are the ones who's kids look like they need new shoes and the family could use a new car.
Answer:
Mostly I think its a waste of money! However when the Mega Millions gets really high we will buy a couple.
We had a friend who became addicted to gambeling internet, lottery ,sprots you name it he did it. He committed suicide 8 yrs ago. Of course we had no idea he had this addiction and sadly neither did his wife he left behind with nothing! He was 36.
Answer:
Its only a waste if you don't win! lol
Okay I know gambling is a serious addiction and I'm not a regular lotto player but I will buy a ticket on occasion just for fun. I also like to go to the casino and play the machines for fun. I take a set amount and that's all I play. For me its fun and harmless and sometimes I win.
Its not something I do often though but if you can control it, I see no problem. People can become addicted to anything so I don't think you can blame the thing itself.
BTW the casino I go to is ran by either a local Indian tribe or a tribe in which I am actually a citizen. A lot of that money goes to fund really good projects too so I like that. They have been doing a lot for the state, not just the tribe and its great that they are so giving.
Answer:
We play the big lottery once a week. I always say "If you don't play you can't win" I find it harmless fun. I love to be able to wake up in the morning and check to see if I was a winner. Even when it is a dollar I get excited! When money is tight we just don't buy one.
Answer:
Originally Posted by luvinmygirlz
I
Not to stereotype, but the people you usually see buying and frantically scratching them are the ones who's kids look like they need new shoes and the family could use a new car.
I know what you mean. My MIL babysits for a living. She doesn't make much money, andshe complains about not having money for this, that and the other, but she's always throwing money into football pools, Nascar pools, basketball pools....I don't feel sorry for people who dump money foolishly into the lottery/gambling, yet complain about not being able to make rent, etc...so ignorant.
Answer:
I don't consider it a waste of money. In my state of Idaho, the lottery has given back $333 million to the State of Idaho (that's dividend money, not winnings). Dividend money is split between the K-12 public schools and the Permanent Building Fund. However, one should never play with more than s/he can afford. Just my .o2.