The fantasizing about winning isn’t all upside though. My wife’s grandparents used to literally get into screaming arguments about what they’d do with the money if they won the lottery.
I’m willing to take that risk.
Though I agree that its an absurd amount of money. But its fun once in awhile to consider what you would do if something that lifechanging happened. And screw Kickstarter, if I get $400m I’m just hiring someone to make the game I really want!
;-)
A solo win would be horrifying, your life would change so much. But living on the boat from Donkey Punch would make things better.
I work for a company that makes casino and lottery products. We know how insane the math is. Yet there are still multiple office pools going around.
The reason being… having virtually no chance at winning the $640M is still better odds than actually having no chance at winning.
/not participating
I read that officials are expecting 1.5 billion in tickets sold- wow. So every number combination should be covered six or seven times over.
With nearly everyone doing quick picks, there is a very small chance that the winning number has no winner.
Which would be awesome, as the next drawing would be over a billion dollars.
Over here the biggest lottery is a pan-european one, The Euromillions. I think it goes to 12 European countries. Each week is a minimum €15m, but the maximum it can get to is something like €175m. Anything over the €175m gets put onto the week after someone collects the original €175m. Also, in Ireland you get the full payment in a lump sum, tax free (sort of tax free anyway.) Tax in lieu of income tax is levied on the tickets sold in Ireland rather than on any winnings in Ireland. I think it’s so winners can’t leave the country for the tax year and get away with not paying the 50% or so tax that would normally come with it. And in general there’s just less chance of accountancy shenanigans. I don’t think that applies to America, where citizens have to pay tax to America on earnings no matter where the person is resident for the tax year. Although I guess that doesn’t stop someone buying an island and paying off its government.
Also, for those saying it’s too much money, do you know how much the best Gulfstream costs? Something like $60m, and that’s before you kit it out with the deluxe setup, and separate to all running costs. Plus you need to get a new one in 25 or so years.
Actually according to the news show I just watched it’s a 95% chance of a winner tonight. If nobody wins the next jackpot will be $900 million or so.
That percentage is from the lottery people not the news show.
Our 3 man company threw in enough for 100 tickets. I wonder how we can write that off next year?
Petty cash, baby!
2-4-23-38-46 MB23
I got one number right!
(I only bought $5 worth.)
Poop!
5 bucks, no win.
The GF won 4 bucks though.
Unfortunately, Florida is not in that one. I’m sure I would have won if it was…
In unrelated news I won $5 on a $1 scratch off. Suck it losers!
Bah! Only got the Mega Number and nothing else. Any news of a winner(s)?
News said they won’t be able to confirm until morning.
keithlaw @keithlaw
Wait, someone in Maryland won the lottery? Sheeeeeeeeeeyet
Me: say it in Bunk’s voice for full effect.
We were talking over dinner last night with some friends and decided it would be better to win, say, 20-30 million and remain obscure rather than win the big jackpot and become a target for everyone on the planet who wants/needs money. I think I could live happily ever after on 20 million pretty easily.
Am I asking so much, universe?!