The premise is so simple – with as little as one dollar in the official lottery, a fortune could be won. All the player’s troubles would disappear; as they could finally buy that house, take that trip or just retire. Somebody has to win, why not the player laying down their dollar at the moment on the counter? Isn’t it for a good cause anyway? There are many compelling reasons why the Lottery has some very dark secrets, here are ten.
1. The Opposite of the Slogan is True
“The more you play the more you win” is the implied or even advertised slogan around most lotteries. This is really not the case. For example, when unemployment is statistically high, lottery sales are also statistically high. Likewise, lottery sales tend to be higher in poorer and minority neighborhoods. As in more tickets sold, the same amount of people (not more) winning. This is the opposite of the slogan.
2. A Quick Pick Can’t Hurt
Many players often have a casual approach to playing lotto, they just a selecting a “quick pick” ticket. The thinking is they won’t get a gambling addition and certainly just one chance at a jackpot is at least worth it. First of all, quick pick numbers are generated from algorithms that are the least likely to hit a jackpot. Secondly, it is this repetition of losing that stimulates the section of the brain responsible for addictive behavior. This casual approach is more likely to develop into an addiction.
3. Scratch Off is Easy
Some players opt for a simple scratch-off ticket. Nothing complicated, just an easy shot at winning. Except the scratch-off tickets have the worst odds of winning of all lotto games. It also stimulates the worst habits in all lottery playing, most winners put the winnings right back into more scratch-off tickets hoping to win big. Usually, the result is a greatly diminished return on any winnings.
4. Ways to Increase Your Chances of Success
There are ways to increase your chances of success with the lottery but the lottery won’t tell you what they are. First, if a player does opt for lottery games where they may select their own numbers, select the same set of numbers and play regularly. Don’t use birthdays, as those numbers are only below 31. Chances are increased with a greater variety of numbers, as in all the numbers between one and 60 being available.
5. The “Buy them all” Road Trip
In regard to scratch-off games, many lottery systems keep a list of the open prizes by game and how many leftover tickets are available on their websites. Savvy lottery pros go on the road to find these remaining tickets and buy them all once found for a guaranteed return.
6. Misappropriations
The lottery is criticized on all sides for a variety of misappropriations. The most common criticism is that the funds promised to schools and other causes do not end up being used for that purpose. There are also reports of store clerks scanning lottery tickets (never scratching) to collect the winning tickets. Thus selling only losing tickets to their patrons.
7. Second Chances Exist
Many lottery games offer a “second chance” however this is usually something that is never a read amongst the fine print on the back of the ticket. It also usually requires that players mail in their tickets in a specified amount of time. It is almost always never readily advertised.
8. Winning is Half the Battle
Players often fantasize about if they would select a lump sum or payments for their winnings. What usually never makes it into that fantasy is the fact that nearly half the winnings will be collected as taxes. It is no better on the payment side either, most lotteries will pay those payments in the form of an annuity. This can also have very specific and far-reaching tax consequences for the winner. In all reality, it may not be more money than the lump sum, it will just take longer.
9. The Battle Begins
Winners find that winning is half the battle. Many lotteries do not allow the large prize winners to remain anonymous. Family, friends, and scammers come running from every direction to get a piece of the “free money.” About a third of all large prize winners end up in bankruptcy within three years. Also, half of the previously disadvantaged class winners end up broke in two years, due to a lack of skills in handling money. That is why it is recommended to use only licensed operators that provide igames, such as talisman software, since it will lessen the difficulties encountered during the process.
10. It is not Just a Ticket
Prize winnings can be a tremendous gift. However, before a player buys a lottery ticket they should understand it can also bring negative changes to a person’s life. These are things the Lottery doesn’t want you to know.
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