1. When you play the lottery you are more likely to be killed by a lightning strike than winning.
There may be some truth in this myth for a very small percentage of lotteries that have unbelievably bad odds. However, for most lotteries it is just untrue. This was clearly demonstrated in 1997 by the then Iowa Lottery Commissioner Ed Stanek who has a doctorate in physics!
Back in 1996 there were 96 people who were hit by lightening. Unfortunately they died as a result of their injuries. However, 1,136 people became million dollar lottery winners, 4,520 won $100,000 or more in American lotteries.
This doesn't include all those smaller prize wins of ten thousand dollars and more!
2. Lotteries are a way of taxing people.
Taxes are levied by governments to pay for the running of the country and to cover national debt. 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.
For starters lottery companies are almost always engaged with local and national charities. For example the National Lottery (UK lotto) is involved in many charity projects and national business creation projects. It also invests heavily in growing business with the whole of the UK.
The people who sell you your lottery ticket also get a piece of the pie through commission payments. Lottery companies create thousands of jobs. The filter effect in employment due to the lottery goes well beyond the lottery company.
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. Gambling addiction is a compulsive behaviour that has its roots in psychological and possibly physiological 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.
There may be some truth in this myth for a very small percentage of lotteries that have unbelievably bad odds. However, for most lotteries it is just untrue. This was clearly demonstrated in 1997 by the then Iowa Lottery Commissioner Ed Stanek who has a doctorate in physics!
Back in 1996 there were 96 people who were hit by lightening. Unfortunately they died as a result of their injuries. However, 1,136 people became million dollar lottery winners, 4,520 won $100,000 or more in American lotteries.
This doesn't include all those smaller prize wins of ten thousand dollars and more!
2. Lotteries are a way of taxing people.
Taxes are levied by governments to pay for the running of the country and to cover national debt. 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.
For starters lottery companies are almost always engaged with local and national charities. For example the National Lottery (UK lotto) is involved in many charity projects and national business creation projects. It also invests heavily in growing business with the whole of the UK.
The people who sell you your lottery ticket also get a piece of the pie through commission payments. Lottery companies create thousands of jobs. The filter effect in employment due to the lottery goes well beyond the lottery company.
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. Gambling addiction is a compulsive behaviour that has its roots in psychological and possibly physiological 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.
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