Lottery is a bit crap
Discussion
ash73 said:
MikeOxlong said:
If they can't control themselves then that's their problem.
How many people line up each week for their dole/pension and immediately buy £25 in lottery tickets? And what sort of impact does that have on their weekly struggle to get by? Many of them don't even know what fractions are, but are suckered in by pics of the latest millionare drinking a glass of bubbly.If middle class folk want to burn a few quid that's fine, it just means I pay less tax because nice-but-dim-Tim is paying a voluntary tax (who would do that?!). That's why I joke about it being a tax on the stupid, but in reality it's a tax on the poor, because they are the most desperate.
ash73 said:
How many people line up each week for their dole/pension and immediately buy £25 in lottery tickets? And what sort of impact does that have on their weekly struggle to get by? Many of them don't even know what fractions are, but are suckered in by pics of the latest millionare drinking a glass of bubbly.
If middle class folk want to burn a few quid that's fine, it just means I pay less tax because nice-but-dim-Tim is paying a voluntary tax (who would do that?!). That's why I joke about it being a tax on the stupid, but in reality it's a tax on the poor, because they are the most desperate.
At least with the lottery some of it ends up being given back to the general public in the form of statues and sports academy programmes and theatre shows etc!If middle class folk want to burn a few quid that's fine, it just means I pay less tax because nice-but-dim-Tim is paying a voluntary tax (who would do that?!). That's why I joke about it being a tax on the stupid, but in reality it's a tax on the poor, because they are the most desperate.
When they plough the rest of their dole/pension into FOBTs in William Hill or in to Sky TV subs that money has instantly gone into evil corporate world.
ash73 said:
How many people line up each week for their dole/pension and immediately buy £25 in lottery tickets? And what sort of impact does that have on their weekly struggle to get by? Many of them don't even know what fractions are, but are suckered in by pics of the latest millionare drinking a glass of bubbly.
If middle class folk want to burn a few quid that's fine, it just means I pay less tax because nice-but-dim-Tim is paying a voluntary tax (who would do that?!). That's why I joke about it being a tax on the stupid, but in reality it's a tax on the poor, because they are the most desperate.
I see what you're saying but again if they choose to spend £25 of their dole/ pension then that's on them. If they end up struggling because they spent money on lottery tickets then I have no sympathy whatsoever for them. If I make no bonus at my job then I only get £1100 pounds which is my base salary. If I've had a crap month at work and made no bonus I reel in the spending and only buy what I need, not what I want. If I've had a good month and made ~£1500 extra then I stick most of it in my savings and buy myself some things I want.If middle class folk want to burn a few quid that's fine, it just means I pay less tax because nice-but-dim-Tim is paying a voluntary tax (who would do that?!). That's why I joke about it being a tax on the stupid, but in reality it's a tax on the poor, because they are the most desperate.
A lot of "poor" people I meet are poor because it's someone else's fault. They refuse to accept responsibility for buying stuff they don't need when they're on a limited income. Your joke about a tax on the stupid is right now I think about it really, because only stupid people waste their money.
mybrainhurts said:
hidetheelephants said:
Presumably Beardy is going to pop up again and promise to do a better job than Camelot and take no profit at the same time? When does the franchise expire?
If Beardy gets his hands on it, the big prizes will go and lots of £1 million prizes will be on offer. Beardy doesn't like other people having lots of ££££££.
And he'd sink it, too. Last time, he demonstrated quite clearly he has no grasp of numbers.
When I get a chance I plan to read this.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Branson-Behind-Mask-Tom-Bo...
Seems there's more to this and even him being a Billionaire is questioned!
ash73 said:
MikeOxlong said:
Your joke about a tax on the stupid is right now I think about it really, because only stupid people waste their money.
But the question is does the government have a responsibility to protect people from themselves? I think it does, personally.
"Tax on the stupid" just sounds like a cliché by those who like to think they are morally superior
Edited by Rich_W on Sunday 18th May 16:10
ash73 said:
But the question is does the government have a responsibility to protect people from themselves? I think it does, personally.
Protect people who are unable to protect themselves, absolutely. Protect people who are able to protect themselves but who choose not to because they know someone else will pull them out the s
t, no way josé.I was looking for this thread on Sunday. Another draw advertising a £6m jackpot turning out to be a sub-£1m due to no of £25 winners and jackpot winners.
Had a subscription for years. Cancelled it now. Shame, but the normal lotto jackpots often fall short of offering enough to live the lottery life on.
Now then, £95m on the other hand....
Had a subscription for years. Cancelled it now. Shame, but the normal lotto jackpots often fall short of offering enough to live the lottery life on.
Now then, £95m on the other hand....
ash73 said:
The lottery takes money from lots of people and gives it all to one person who then pisses it up the wall; this philosophy is fundamentally wrong, imo.
All forms of gambling follow this model - the lottery isn't unique. At least good causes get a slice of the pie (unlike most other forms of gambling).HOGEPH said:
I wonder if they'll ever end up scrapping the lottery as more people play the Euromillions for bigger prizes?
Nah. If anything, I would say they'd need to re-think the £25 guaranteed lowest prize, but that would result in a u-turn and they say that most players want that, not the larger jackpots "based on extensive research".As I've said before, if I want to win £25 I'd put a bet on a horse and have much better odds. I play(ed) to win the larger prizes, but it seems that makes me in the minority.
HOGEPH said:
I wonder if they'll ever end up scrapping the lottery as more people play the Euromillions for bigger prizes?
Me and the OH were talking about this exact same thing the other day. I only ever have a go (sometimes I even splash out and have 2 goes if it gets above £100m) on the Euro Millions once it gets "interesting" - basically £50m plus. I don't even know how much the "normal" lottery is, but given the chances of winning either are bloody remote I'd rather play for "proper" money.Do I ever expect to win?
No I don't, but for £2 every now and then it's nice to spend Friday night on Autotrader and Rightmove just in case
Euro millions only now for me. As they're both the same price now, when I win (note the positive thoughts) I want it to be retirement time (I'm 35). £1m or so on the normal lottery ain't going to cut the mustard in the south east.
Also, as many posters have said, I only buy a ticket when it's silly money, £50m+. I probably spend less than £100 a year which for me is small price to pay for that glimmer of hope now and again!
Also, as many posters have said, I only buy a ticket when it's silly money, £50m+. I probably spend less than £100 a year which for me is small price to pay for that glimmer of hope now and again!
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