One of the most salient things I learned in school
"The lottery is a tax on the stupid"

And it is. It really is.
(Merrep, Sat 9 May 2009, 7:18, 9 replies)

Well...
If you don't have that last half down the pub and instead spunk it on a lottery ticket does it make much difference? With beer you know you are quite literally pissing your money away, if you treat a quid on the lottery with teh same attitude it's alright.
( monkeybananaraffle, Sat 9 May 2009, 12:03, closed)

True
The one thing you should always remember with gambling is you basicaly have to treat the cash you're gambling with as lost. If you cannot afford to loose the cash you've bet with then you shouldn't be betting. And lets face it, most people can afford to loose a quid or so a week
(Fredz A graveyard of hopes, a dump of ambition, Sat 9 May 2009, 12:14, closed)

I disagree
I like the fact that we have a big pot of money available for spending on things that nobody really needs, but generally make people happy.

I also know a a fair few people/projects that get lottery funding, so I have no problem contributing. And sure, if they ever happen to give me a million quids in return then I won't be complaining either.
(BimbleBamble, Sat 9 May 2009, 12:46, closed)

I've never played the lottery
but it probably makes it easier (ie: less like an idiot tax) to feel like it's basically some altruistic charity donation (with the added motivation that there's a infinitesimal possibility of becoming a multi-millionaire).
But there's definitely truth there (and lols).
( Fitznicely into a thimble, Sat 9 May 2009, 12:52, closed)

I think
A certain Spaniard or group of who this morning are around €120million richer than yesterday would beg to differ
(Halfy By light alone, Sat 9 May 2009, 15:05, closed)

Sometimes that little "for the lulz" bet is worth it for the "whatif" factor.
(Scritty Bakerman., Sat 9 May 2009, 21:36, closed)

The funny thing is that
Most of the Lottery fund is spent on "arts", "culture" and restoring
old buildings &c. If you take the horrid stereotypical view that it's
the great unwashed who are wasting money on lottery tickets, it's
interesting that the money won't be spent on things that appeal to
them.
( ejlflop errrrrgs. Regularly., Sun 10 May 2009, 2:54, closed)

Yes, that makes me chuckle too
It also annoys the fuck out of me when people (or the Daily Mail) complain about projects being funded by Lottery grants. The whole point of the Lottery funds is that they DON'T come from tax money that people have no choice but to pay - they're generated by a completely voluntary sweepstake that you have to opt into. If you don't like a tiny fraction of your pound going towards performing arts communes for one-eyed black lesbian immigrant single mothers, don't buy a ticket.
(Vice Admiral Sir Charles Cockbrush KCB MBE DSO, who is finding it increasingly difficult to log into b3ta.com wants to duck your aunt and kick your puppy, Mon 11 May 2009, 11:26, closed)

Nah.. it's a tax on hope
I know the odds are infinitesimal, but I still play it. Why?

Mainly because the opportunity cost is low. Usually, I throw away 52 quid a year - which doesn't really buy much. Every week I get the very mild anticipation of winning.

On the other hand *if* I won, it'd be a life changing experience. It's worth it to me..

I did win eighty quid one weekend, and that was worth the months of losing beforehand.
(EssY, Mon 11 May 2009, 17:33, closed)