Lottery tickets & gas stations

I do a lot of gas stations and I continue to be amazed at the number of customers, of all descriptions, who plunk down $5, $10, $20 for lottery tickets. In many cases they read off favorite numbers or turn in a few winners, rolling over the money into new tickets, both of which indicate repeat betters. The government has a good thing going. But of course we are still 19 trillion in debt and growing so it hasn't helped. If I remember correctly the lottery started to help fund education. How come my school taxes are so high? I got off the subject - sorry.

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

More About Gas Station Mystery Shopping

Are you Canadian? There is no national lottery in the US. There are many states that have their own lotteries or participate in some of the multistate lotteries. The reality is that when $X comes into state coffers, in most cases (if not all), part or all of that revenue reduces the amount of revenue the state contributes to education rather than being additional funding for schools. It is indeed disturbing to see how much folks who really can't afford it spend on scratch off games and lottery tickets.

The lottery in Texas was supposed to fund education. What actually happened is that lottery money started to roll in and the state shifted money around so there was never a real increase.

Some days you just have to create your own sunshine.

Bingo. Same here, an article I read about Kansas had the same complaint, etc.

The same thing in California. The money from the lottery was supposed to help the public schools. Our public schools in the poorer areas continue to decline so I don't think they got any influx of cash from the lottery.

@Flash wrote:

Are you Canadian?

Nope - NY. The lottery is state run and the 19 trillion debt Federally run.

Got it. I thought you were talking about a Federally run lottery.

Jake, I agree the money spent on lottery is amazing considering the odds, but I'm even more distressed by the beer and cigarettes bought by those in need of such mundane items as dental care and good shoes. At least a lottery ticket won't kill you. What it comes down to is that we all make our choices.

This conversation and others like it always remind me of my late husband John who spent an outrageous amount of time and money hunting. Any time that was mentioned his answer was always "Well, I don't smoke." As far as I could tell, his goal in life was to have a good time and he did. I guess we all have to go for what looks good to us.

Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.

Mary, I had to put my beer down to respond but at least I don't smoke. Sounds like John had a good plan.

Jake, I understand. John always had to put his beer down to respond, too.

Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.

I buy crossword scratch games about once every two months. They go into my purse for a time when I am forced to wait in line for a greater than normal time. The ones i buy have a 3.75 chance of I winning and I always buy four. So a twenty minute road construction wait netted me $15, and a delayed doctor visit scored $11, I nearly always get something, and it is my reward for patience.

When the AZ Lottery first came out, one of my Navajo Reservation student's mom won $1 million. I asked her what was the first thing her mom bought. She said, "appliances. It is so good to have everything that works!"

We had three million dollar winners in our small (10,000) town. Unheard of. Of course after they shared with all of their relatives, they didn't have that much, but just dreaming about it creates smiles. And that is worth something right there!

When MegaMillions gets to over $100 million I plunck down $1 for the day dream. It looks like a whole lot of folks do about the same because once it gets to that level it starts going up quickly until won. I won't bother with PowerBall because that is now $2 and although 'the odds are better', they stink at both games and all I am buying is a day dream anyway.

I was at a gas station earlier today and several people bought lottery tickets, some rolling over some winners. I remarked to the attendant that he must take in at least $500 a day on lottery tickets. He said "no" over $1500. Unbelievable.

@Flash wrote:

When MegaMillions gets to over $100 million I plunck down $1 for the day dream.
...

I do the same! The rational part of my brain knows that I'm throwing my money away, but it's worth it for me to have 5 minutes of pleasant thoughts about what I'd do with that stack of cash.

Shopper in California's Bay Area

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/10/2015 06:11AM by CaliGirl925.

I always had a little fun with the version of gas station shop that required you to buy a lottery ticket (which they reimbursed and I would get to keep any winnings). They have in my region since gone to a curb appeal picture of the station instead of the lottery ticket. While the curb appeal picture means less invested in the shop, I still think the lottery ticket made it fun.

Shopping across Indiana but mostly around Indianapolis.

My late husband had heart surgery when our daughter was 9 days old. The surgeon told him if he did not quit smoking he would be dead in 5 years. When he was released, he lit up a cigarette before we got out of the parking lot. He died 5 years, 2 months later. He was 49. During that time he was in and out of hospitals over a dozen times. I had many conversations with nurses. They all told me tobacco is more addictive than heroin.

I do gas shops frequently, they are one of my favorites. I see the same thing. When I have to wait in line most of the customers are buying beer and cigarettes. It is sad.

I have conveniences stores that I do, and there is always a line because of the Lotto tickets. What cracks me up is the people going to buy them after church. I do not care so much, but it is like a Sunday outing for many of the elderly. I live in the south though, and there are little churches everywhere.

@CaliGirl925 wrote:

@Flash wrote:

...

I do the same! The rational part of my brain knows that I'm throwing my money away, but it's worth it for me to have 5 minutes of pleasant thoughts about what I'd do with that stack of cash.

@CaliGirl925 wrote:

...

I do the same! The rational part of my brain knows that I'm throwing my money away, but it's worth it for me to have 5 minutes of pleasant thoughts about what I'd do with that stack of cash.[/quote]

I don't see it as throwing my money away, but rather as voluntary giving. Here the money is used by the state to partially fund public transportation among other things. Smaller communities can then provide these needed services. It also goes to wild life, education, the homeless, health and human services, and small businesses. It would be good for me if I win, but it is good for everyone here even if I don't!

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

Lottery tickets & gas stations

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine