subject: Lottery Myths That Just Aren't True [print this page] 1. If you buy your ticket at the start of the week you are more likely to be dead from a lightning strike than winning on the lotto.
Although this may be true of some lotteries for the vast majority of them it is not. This was clearly demonstrated in 1997 by the then Iowa Lottery Commissioner Ed Stanek who has a doctorate in physics!
NASPL also offered statistics showing that in the year of their research, 1996, 91 people where struck and killed by lightning strikes in America. However, 1,136 people became million dollar lottery winners, 4,520 won $100,000 or more in American lotteries.
This does not even take into account all the smaller prizes below $100,000 but larger than $10,000!
2. Lotteries are a way of taxing people.
This is complete hogwash! A tax is a compulsory payment that you must make to the government or you risk going to jail. You are never forced to play the lottery. Playing a lottery is completely a matter of choice.
3. The lottery is used to entice the poor to part with their money.
Let's face it this myth is complete garbage. What corporation, company or salesman would target people who do not have the money to buy the products on sale?
People from all walks of life and with differing financial statuses play and win the lottery.
4. The lottery only benefits a small number of people - the winners!
Although this is one of the most popular myths about lottos it is by far the easiest to bust.
Most lotteries make donations to charities on a regular basis. In the UK the National Lottery also sponsors many ventures and new business start-ups.
Just like any other pay point sale the retailer who sells you your lotto ticket gets a percentage of the sale. Lottery companies create thousands of jobs. Advertisers get paid for lottery advertisements which helps create and sustain employment.
At the end of the day the lotto is also a game and games bring enjoyment. Is it worth a buck or two to enjoy the experience?
5. The lottery promotes compulsive gambling and is responsible for creating more gamblers.
If you have ever had any involvement with some who gambles frequently more than they should then you will know that they have certain addictive personality traits. Almost all addictions have their foundations in mental, emotional and physical causes.
In-depth studies on addiction and gambling have uncovered that the lottery, whether present or absent, has no real tangible effect on a compulsive gambler's behaviour. A compulsive gamblers will most likely seek something more thrilling than a mere lottery bet and is more often than not attracted to more risky enterprises.
