The National Lottery .... Why do we bother?

It may be 14 million to one to win the jackpot but the odds are much lower to win a tenner and there are other prizes in between. I think if we all looked at it logically we wouldn't play but we all hope that we will be the one to win a large amount, one day. And a pound doesn't seem much to risk so we do it. Again if we totalled up how much we spend in a year on it we would know it doesn't pay. But you know what they say "You've got to be in it to win it" and it's that which drives us on. Common sense disappears.

Personally, I couldn't justify spending money on the National Lottery. It does seem such a waste.

I do occasionally use the phrase "It'll be ok when I win the lottery", but obviously always followed up with, "Of course, I need to enter it first..."

I do, however, play a £1 per week charity lottery, to win £1000. To me, £1000 would be a huge, life-changing amount of money to win right now, and I see no need to be greedy! I can justify this as I know that my money is going to charity, and that, though they give out money each week, they're still going to be making a profit from players overall.

I don't see anything wrong with having a flutter on the lottery if you can afford it. Of course I know the chances of winning the big prize are pretty infinitesimal but, let's face it, if you don't do it at all the chances are zero! Winning the odd tenner here and there, and a couple of times winning a bit more with four numbers, is a bit of fun for me - and always with that tantalising thought that one day it could be me.

What disturbs me is the thought of people who can't really afford it buying tickets with money that should be spent on shoes for their children and putting food on the table. The very people, of course, who are driven to do it by a desire to win big money.

I don't claim to know what the answer to this is.

Another thought on this - since the lottery is, essentially, a tax why can't we in these dire financial times spend the profits on something rather more necessary that sponsoring the arts, etc? I don't have anything against the arts but I wonder whether we should subsidise rich people to go to the opera or ballet.

In either Australia or Canada (can't remember which) they agreed to use the profits on healthcare - much more worthwhile. At the very least the people who buy the tickets should be able to influence where the money goes. With the available technology it would be very simple to have an extra box on the ticket where people could specify, in broad terms, where they would like their money to be spent, for example health charities, animal charities, the homeless, etc., etc.

Their slogan 'It Could Be You' was very clever and actually true. If you were to ask people whom have won vast fortunes on the lottery, they would never has expected to win but entered because they believed maybe just maybe.

Fundamentally, the lottery appeals to people who aspire to change their lot and not necessaily through hard work alone.

The belief that there are millions to be won for the cost of £1 has an appeal. Additionally, the amount of money raised for good causes is also a wonderful bi-product of playing the lottery.

However, like with any form of gambling their has to be a great element of personal responsibility and I am certain that there are some who chase the money by spending a disproportionate amount of their money on playing the lottery, scratch cards, bingo, fruit machines etc..

For some the belief that winning the lottery will bring happiness in abundance has been disproved, whilst others have made a positive difference to theirs and other people's lives through their sensible approach and good financial management.

The lottery is a game of chance and if you take that chance and win then good luck to you. As for 'easy money' and ridding people of the whole ethos of work and effort is what luck is about. If someone were to offer you and your loved ones the chance to live a life free of debt, hardship, worry and financial stress and the choice of whether YOU choose to continue to work or not isn't a bad return for that £1 investment.

I see the lottery as more a bit of fun! When I enter I am not chasing a dream, nor do I realistically think that I will win the jackpot, but the equal chance of every entrant doing so thinks it may be your lucky day! If I have a spare quid in my pocket when I am at the shops then I will buy a ticket....that reminds me....isn't it a rollover tonight?!!!

I do wonder however why people often buy a ticket when there is a huge jackpot on a lottery or there are numerous rollovers...Is a few million not enough now? Or do you need to win £113 million to be happy?

As a side comment to this the national lottery also invest large amounts in community projects and developments across the UK so at least a tiny percentage of your playing money is being put to good use.

A lottery ticket allows you to dream a little and the proceeds have done some good works around the country. However I don't do it any more preferring to hold a few Premium Bonds instead as my dream of winning £1 million. I'll let you know if I win......!

Its a bit of interest and I only put on as much money as I want to lose,I must confess though that if I had to pay for the tickets in one lump some yearly I would probably be shocked how much it costs, it would cover my car insurance and more!!I like the money going to good causes, and if I won I would make a lot of people happy but they would only get as much money as to make a difference to there lives.
I consider myself a very rich chap already as I have a wonderful wife and very kind caring friends, a nice home and peace of mind what more could I ask for ?
So yes I agree with you Snoopy48 the riches you seek in life should not always be money but in this materialistic world its a big advantage

Thank you everyone for your views ... all excellent! I ran my work syndicate for a year ( 23 people in it to win it ) and a £1196 annual stake resulted in a £546 prize fund so pretty much a 46% return and of course loss of the stake money. Yes, they all moaned at only getting back £10.50 each at the end of the year but as I pointed out we were not looking for the odd tenner but we should all be prepared to lose money on the basis of winning a jackpot. That's exactly why people do the lottery, I suggest, they are 'in it to win it', 'it' being the big one! The current year's syndicate is a tad up on last year, everyone has around £13 to look forward to. But if you view this alongside everyone's annual stake of £52, it is a waste of time, hence the indisputable view that you should only bet what you can afford ane be prepared to lose it gracefully! If you think about it, it is all about millions of people 'gracefully' losing their weekly £1 that makes the big winners millionaires! But for now, it's back to work on Monday!

I guess there is no harm if you have spare cash to throw away, but I personally don't play (gamble) on the lottery.

There is more chance of you stopping someone at random in the street and guessing their phone number!

I am not against gambling, but I like to load the odds in my favour as far as possible and give myself a realistic chance of coming out on top.

I think the argument that money goes to good causes is a non-starter as only a fraction of each £1 goes to a good cause - you're better of donating directly.

(it's a stroke of marketing genius that they refer to it as "playing" the lottery. It's gambling!

I hardly ever play, but occasionally I may have a 'bet'. I always wonder if I was to win the jackpot, what would I spend it on?!