A couple weeks ago, the highest lottery jackpot in the USA was won in the state of California–the prize winnings had climbed up to 2.04 billion dollars! The total was going up week after week and was getting a ton of media coverage which elevated Powerball ticket sales significantly until someone finally won the big jackpot. What I find funny about lottery ticket sales is, no matter how high the prize amount reaches, the statistics are still as low as they were regardless of the prize total. However, despite this, you will see more people buying tickets in hopes that they could claim the big jackpot.

When it comes to playing the lottery, it shows that people love to take chances. Even when the odds are stacked against them, there is always that chance and people get hooked on that hope. I also think that everyone likes to think that their innately lucky which also feeds into their hope mindset even more so to provide them the feeling that they have a chance when ultimately we know that the statistics of winning are still extremely low. If one genuinely believes that they are lucky, then most likely this person will want to play thinking that they are luckier than the masses so it is worth taking the chance. Even if one thinks they are lucky, while this is a positive mindset to possess, it also demonstrates how rationality can very easily go out the window once there is a level of risk involved. This is where people need to be careful and practice moderation if they intend to play the lottery or it is very easy to become addicted and lose a ton of money over time.

There is nothing wrong with having a little fun and taking a chance with the lottery. As previously mentioned, moderation is key which is why it is wise to set a limit and to consider a budget prior to playing. It is a good idea to determine the maximum that you are willing to lose a month and to choose an amount that you can comfortably afford and that you will not lose sleep over if it is lost. It does not hurt to take a chance because as they say, you have to be in it to win it! Just remember to play responsibly if you are going to gamble or play any lottery games.