All it takes is a dollar and a dream; and with gas prices soaring toward $5, people are dreaming in droves.
The New York State Lottery reported a 4 percent increase this year, adding $82 million dollars to state coffers with no sign of slowing down.
Casinos and gambling getaways such as Atlantic City have struggled to keep business, as high fuel prices have kept summer travelers closer to home.
But video-lottery terminals and scratch-off tickets are readily available fun for bettors hoping to turn their luck around in a dreary economy.
I've harped on the economy plenty, mostly because I've been feeling the pinch myself.
But I am a little surprised that people are spending more than they can afford on games with relatively poor odds.
Don't get me wrong, I love scratch-off tickets and I am not oppose to buying them every once in a while. I tell myself, “If I don't win, at least I'm donating my dollar to a neighbor in need.” But an $82 million increase in revenue is a lot more than a dollar here or there.
I saw a woman leave the supermarket with an entire ream close to five feet long, all scratch-off lottery tickets. Maybe she was picking up the weekly scratch-offs for the office; maybe.
But I don't think so. I think that she was willing to gamble $20 in the hopes that she would profit, even a little.
I'm not suggesting that central New York has an increasing gambling problem. It just seems that people have reached the point where they don't have anything to lose.
What is $20 compared to a $1,500 mortgage payment? What is $20 compared to a $120 cell phone bill?
I remember when $20 would fill my gas tank, with money left over to treat myself to an overpriced soda from the gas station.
I don't see myself buying $20 worth of lotto tickets anytime soon. However; I'm not judging anyone who would. Maybe $1 is a stingy investment in a dream. Maybe $20 or even $50 is worth the gamble if the brass ring is completely out of reach.
Maybe I'll buy a lotto ticket today, win millions of dollars and buy a car that runs on water.
It's unlikely, but hey, you never know.
In the meantime, big dreams are only helping the state.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
Casinos and gambling getaways such as Atlantic City have struggled to keep business, as high fuel prices have kept summer travelers closer to home.
But video-lottery terminals and scratch-off tickets are readily available fun for bettors hoping to turn their luck around in a dreary economy.
I've harped on the economy plenty, mostly because I've been feeling the pinch myself.
But I am a little surprised that people are spending more than they can afford on games with relatively poor odds.
Don't get me wrong, I love scratch-off tickets and I am not oppose to buying them every once in a while. I tell myself, “If I don't win, at least I'm donating my dollar to a neighbor in need.” But an $82 million increase in revenue is a lot more than a dollar here or there.
I saw a woman leave the supermarket with an entire ream close to five feet long, all scratch-off lottery tickets. Maybe she was picking up the weekly scratch-offs for the office; maybe.
But I don't think so. I think that she was willing to gamble $20 in the hopes that she would profit, even a little.
I'm not suggesting that central New York has an increasing gambling problem. It just seems that people have reached the point where they don't have anything to lose.
What is $20 compared to a $1,500 mortgage payment? What is $20 compared to a $120 cell phone bill?
I remember when $20 would fill my gas tank, with money left over to treat myself to an overpriced soda from the gas station.
I don't see myself buying $20 worth of lotto tickets anytime soon. However; I'm not judging anyone who would. Maybe $1 is a stingy investment in a dream. Maybe $20 or even $50 is worth the gamble if the brass ring is completely out of reach.
Maybe I'll buy a lotto ticket today, win millions of dollars and buy a car that runs on water.
It's unlikely, but hey, you never know.
In the meantime, big dreams are only helping the state.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
The Citizens' Say
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