• artifex@piefed.social
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    77
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    2 days ago

    Lottery tickets.

    They’re basically just a tax on the dumb. But man the slogans — all you need is a dollar and a dream, you gotta be in it to win it, etc. — sheer marketing genius.

    • HubertManne@piefed.social
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 day ago

      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.

      • 1984@lemmy.today
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        24 hours ago

        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.

    • Mycatiskai@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      7
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      2 days ago

      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.

      • Tomato666@lemmy.sdf.org
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        7
        ·
        1 day ago

        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

        • Mycatiskai@lemmy.ca
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          5
          ·
          1 day ago

          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).

    • Clent@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      1 day ago

      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.

      • balsoft@lemmy.ml
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        1 day ago

        There are moments where the potential payout for a ticket is greater than the value of the ticket.

        Has this ever happened in recent history?

        In that mathematical moment, buy exactly one ticket.

        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.