# There is no justice in the world, or Why do the wrong people win the lottery? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 11, 2003, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740 "2003-07-11T16:13:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DdDHellspawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@DdDHellspawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DdDHellspawn)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2003, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/41 "2003-07-12T23:46:32Z")
> [@](#): > > :sobbing and desk pounding: > > sniff, and it could have been whores and firetrucks I feel your pain Bruce Daddy ☹ But I’m also LMAO!!!😃 And that horrible green text is killing me 😛 I have never played the lotto because of the reason that you will not win. “GOD” will not let people like us win :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/42 "2003-07-13T01:40:53Z")
I will never understand people who complain about who wins the lottery. The whole point of lotteries is that anyboday can win! You don’t have to deserve it and you don’t have to earn it; that’s the attraction! ---
**Author:** ![vivian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/3e96dc/32.png) [@vivian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivian)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/43 "2003-07-13T04:09:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by december \* > \*\*Set aside $50/week for lottery tickets, but instead use the money to buy shares of a mutual fund. Assume the fund provides an average annual return of 10%. (10% is the long-term average for stocks.) In 39 years, you’ll have over a million dollars. \*\* **39 years???** [whine] but i wanna win noooooowwwwwww. i deserrrrvvveee iiiittttttttttttt[/whine] BTW people, I actually **found** $100 on the street. uh huh! funny thing is…i wasn’t as esctatic as i thought i would be. First thing that popped into my head was “is this real???” tons of places no longer accept $50s or $100. So this morning, i go to the bank and they tell me its legit. i ask then to give me $20s. i ended up buying some sorrily needed bras. ladies, you know how it is when you can never find your size… ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/44 "2003-07-13T12:32:50Z")
Excuse me. If they needed a new tractor and a fridge, why the hell were they blowing money on lottery tickets? :shrug: Makes no difference to me, since I don’t play. I just wonder how many other poor people will see this, think They Too Can Win, and spend money on tickets instead of shoes for the kids. Go to Vegas. The odds are better. ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/45 "2003-07-13T13:26:32Z")
**Ivylass** , we can’t presume that these people were habitually blowing money on lottery tickets. For all we know, they just decided to take a chance because the jackpot was so high. One ticket is $1. As I pointed out to Mr. tlw, for $1 I could buy a 20 ounce bottle of Pepsi or a chance at some $250 million. I know that I’m not the only one who thought about that, the “just a dollar” idea is pretty prevalent. I can’t feel badly about hard-working folks dropping a buck and getting big-time lucky. Not one little bit. Oh, about that West Virginia millionaire who won Powerball last year – he turned his winnings into opportunities for other people. He knew he didn’t need the money himself, so he did only a tiny amount of personal splurging and sank the rest of the money into charity. I can’t see a way to feel badly about that, either. ---
**Author:** ![Medea\_s\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Medea\_s\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Medea_s_Child)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/46 "2003-07-13T13:41:53Z")
All I can think is that one of these lottery people really needs to adopt a college student. Say, a Chem Eng and Philosophy major. A blonde. I hate being poor. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/47 "2003-07-13T14:06:10Z")
Good point, **tlw**. Maybe they weren’t habitual lottery players, but since the jackpot was so high, they decided to take a chance. Like I said, I don’t play. Odds suck. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/48 "2003-07-13T15:24:15Z")
I know what you mean **Bruce\_Daddy**. It’s the lack of imagination that hurts. A huge win like that should be a great bonus in life, to have fun with, not just to get a few essentials. Frankly, unless you already have wads of cash, the lottery _should_ change your life. Otherwise why play? The worst example I know of is an English couple that won several million and _haven’t spent any of it_! Not a single penny! It’s just sitting in the bank and they’re living in their two-bedroom house and shopping at the same supermarkets. Why can’t they just give it away, to charity, to their friends, to me? > [@](#): > > I will never understand people who complain about who wins the lottery. The whole point of lotteries is that anyboday can win! You don’t have to deserve it and you don’t have to earn it; that’s the attraction! See, I’m not saying that they _shouldn’t_ win really. I don’t think anyone else is either. It is the way the game works, after all. It’s just kind of shaking your fists against an unfair universe, really. I would be such a great lottery winner. Charities would benefit, my friends would never have money worries again, my daughter and I would travel to exotic places and haggle with the locals - ‘200 pesos? I’ll take it for 300 and nothing less!’ Brilliant and original (but still fun) film students would have their projects funded by a mysterious benefactress, the local sci-fi memorabilia store would find itself suddenly out of financial difficulties, my favourite bars would be home to joyous generous parties for weeks on end, and I would have time to write my novel, which would obviously be of great benefit to humanity. It’s a rather dull world in which tractor-buyers win, and **Bruce-Daddy** and I don’t. Must remember to actually buy a ticket this week… ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/49 "2003-07-13T16:10:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Siege \* > \*\*I would have told you folks that Polycarp and I are both getting first class tickets to Maine, to be followed by The Ultimate Dopefest. > > I’ll take my $1 or $5 worth of dreams. If you don’t like it, you need not come to my fantasy Dopefest. > > CJ \*\* Better make it New Hampshire. **Poly’s** got a presidential campaign to get started. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/50 "2003-07-13T18:46:54Z")
[This picture](http://www.boners.com/grub/789750.html) seemed apropos. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/51 "2003-07-14T12:32:22Z")
[Obligatory Onion link](http://www.theonion.com/onion3926/lottery_winner.html) ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/52 "2003-07-14T13:10:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ivylass \* > \*\*Excuse me. > > If they needed a new tractor and a fridge, why the hell were they blowing money on lottery tickets?\*\* It looks like they made the right decision. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/53 "2003-07-14T20:38:19Z")
Could be worse. You could be in New York, where it seems like every lottery winner is a Dominican guy from Brooklyn. Lottery winners in upstate New York? Ha! The New York Lottery is just another evil state scheme to funnel more dough from the economically stagnant areas of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany and Syracuse the to the Big Apple, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![j.c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@j.c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j.c)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/54 "2003-07-15T04:23:23Z")
Let’s not forget all the lottery winnings locked up in vicious divorces or will disputes. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740/55 "2003-07-15T13:02:53Z")
Excuse me while I hijack myself. What in the fuck is up with these people and the scratch off tickets? I’ll admit I’m a moron playing the Powerball but these people. For example, my transaction: Walk up to counter. “I’d like 5 powerball quick picks please.” Cashier hands me ticket, I hand them a 5-er. “Thank you.” “Thank you.” And now. . . the “Scratch-off Crowd” Walk up to counter. Hands cashier winning **tickets**. Cashier puts winning ticket in machine. Machine: “Congratulations! You are a winner!” (ticket shuffling) Cashier puts winning ticket in machine. Machine: “Congratulations! You are a winner!” (ticket shuffling) Cashier puts winning ticket in machine. Machine: “Congratulations! You are a winner!” (ticket shuffling) Cashier puts winning ticket in machine. Machine: “Congratulations! You are a winner!” (ticket shuffling) Cashier puts winning ticket in machine. Machine: “Congratulations! You are a winner!” (ticket shuffling) Cashier puts winning ticket in machine. Machine: “Congratulations! You are a winner!” (ticket shuffling) Cashier puts winning ticket in machine. Machine: “Congratulations! You are a winner!” (ticket shuffling) Cashier puts winning ticket in machine. Machine: “Congratulations! You are a winner!” Cashier hands customer 6 dollars. Customer weakly points to one of 100 different scratch off tickets in the display. Customer:“Gi-fo-dem” Cashier: “I’m sorry?” Customer: “Gi-fo-dem-dere” Cashier: " I’m sorry sir, what was that? Customer: " **Gimme fo of dem!** Cashier: “The Super Terrific Happy Scratch or the Mega Millions Money Bags?” Customer: “Dat one.” Cashier: (pointing) “This one here?” Customer: “Nope.” Cashier: (pointing) “This one?” Customer: “Nope.” Cashier: (pointing) “This one?” Customer: “Yep.” Cashier: “That will be 4 dollars.” Customer: (weakly pointing) “An-git-fi-dem” These people act like there is some super secret they know that others don’t and if they pick out the proper number of the correct ticket they win. I’m not sure but I think they are all the same and just painted different with little stupid colors and whatnots. Can I please just get some cigarettes please? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-justice-in-the-world-or-why-do-the-wrong-people-win-the-lottery/187740.md?page=2)