this post was submitted on 06 Nov 2025
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Lottery tickets.
Theyβre basically just a tax on the dumb. But man the slogans β all you need is a dollar and a dream, you gotta be in it to win it, etc. β sheer marketing genius.
Its not about the odds. Youre temporarily renting hope in a hopeless world.
I call it the stupid tax. I pay it knowing I won't win but it would be nice to get some fuck you money.
I don't mind spending 10 a month to maybe pay off my house years early.
The lottery people aren't looking for one person to buy all the tickets.
If you are buying 10 a month and a significant amount of people think like you then they are going to make bank on that.
If you win I expect a "Fuck You" reply and a picture of a ridiculous amount of cash
At least it is a crown corporation so the money goes to the province not to a private company.
If I ever win, I will track down this comment of yours and show myself posing with an incredibly large pile of loonies($1 coins with a loon on them).
I will buy one but that is it. It enhances the fantasy when there is a non zero chance something could happen even if ridiculously unlikely. That being said all the big, dreamworthy jackpots are no longer a dollar and much like fast food that has become to rich for my blood.
I buy one maybe a few times per year. Its also a very good gift to someone. You get a bit of excitement together and there is always that tiny chance of winning.
That tax goes both ways.
There are moments where the potential payout for a ticket is greater than the value of the ticket.
In that mathematical moment, buy exactly one ticket.
Has this ever happened in recent history?
I'd say buy as many as you can within the amount of money you're ready to waste. Same as with investing, pretty much.
I'll buy them as "gag gifts" but not for myself.