Is it worth only playing the lottery

Anonymous #1

With the best odds? Only do one game a week but buy a lot of tickets?

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by Anonymous

With the best odds? Only do one game a week but buy a lot of tickets?

No. The National Lottery takes in much more money that it pays out (because it sets aside money for charity, tax, profit, etc.) - in fact it pays out only 53% of what it takes in. So, on average, you'd only get back 53% of the money you spent on lottery tickets.

Reply 2

CuteHarpSeal527

No it's a really bad idea and it wrecks people's lives.

(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 3

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

Unless you've got a fair bit of deposable income and just want the entertainment value, no.

Reply 4

hotpud

Original post by DataVenia

I don't think the odds are even that good. For me, the Lottery is £2 for a dream. Chances of even getting your money back are still very low. Chances of getting 3 numbers are 1 in 97. The 53% figure only seems reasonable because the majority of the winning pot goes to a single ticket holder.