£61 million, really?

[#1]

Do we really need lottery prizes of this size?

Far better surely to spread both the money and the chances around rather than put it into one large pot - or are we just selling dreams for the many rather than reality for the few. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36929452

[#2]

Prizes of this value are a result of human greed. With the odds being so crazy some might not think that it's worth the cost for a small prize but with silly values some people think it's worth the ticket price even though the odds of winning it are the same!

I agree with your comments regarding better sharing of the money and have a lower stake, I think it would attract a lot more people to play.

[#3]

I second the comments re: spreading the prizes - but it still won't make me play. The odds are too great, and I haven't got money to throw away.

[#4]

I`m a pensioner... and used to do the national lottery until they doubled the stake money... only ever won a tenner ... so they won more than me...  so changed over the the Health Lottery... haven`t won more than a couple of quid and a free go...! .. so have given up on both...

what amazes me is the number of pensioners at the cig counter buying £100 worth of smokes AND another £20 or £30 of scratch cards and lottery tickets...

I`m glad I don`t smoke any more... but the only enrichment in my life because of that, is that I DO feel much healthier, and don`t wake up with a hacking cough, and stink of an ashtray all the time... 

[#5]

Probably more to do with increasing the profits. The higher the jackpot the more sheeple seem to buy tickets. Increase the odds and the jackpot builds up giving the companes running the lottery a lot more interest until it is finally won.

I no longer play the national lottery since they increased the number range.

[#6]

I hear you and same here, used to buy them but never do so now.

The Mrs has had a few of those premium bonds since...... 1955. Money won to date, zilch and yes, they still have our right address!

[#7]

I've never bought lottery tickets of any sort as I have better things to waste my money on.

[#8]

Fully agree the chances of winning are remote..........just one question,

What should I do with the 61 million ? should I put in a bid to buy Plusnet ?

[#9]

Well apparently BT paid a bit more for it back in 2006, £67 million in fact.

Make them an offer they can't refuse?  

[#10]

To be honest I'd be really worried about winning that amount of money.

Gifting some to your family and making their lives worse, not better? Grandson for example goes out and buys himself a new car and wraps it around a tree.

Crikey, worrying about something that's not going to happen, especially given that I do not even buy the damned things!

[#11]

Actually, being at the checkout and the guy in front suddenly decides they want to buy a bunch of different tickets, and I'm in a hurry!

[#12]

I keep telling the OH I will win one day, when he asks me if I have a ticket I tell him not to be silly - I'm only going to buy one the week I'm going to win. 

I know what I would do with £61m - at least 2/3rds would be split between the RNLI, Great Ormond St, Lincoln Cathedral, International Bomber Command Memorial, Macmillan Nurses, and Alzheimer's research, and a few more charities.

[#13]

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Mayfly wrote:

I know what I would do with £61m - at least 2/3rds would be split between the RNLI, Great Ormond St, Lincoln Cathedral, International Bomber Command Memorial, Macmillan Nurses, and Alzheimer's research, and a few more charities.

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Whos bosses and committee chums would suddenly get fabulous pay rises - all coincidental you understand.

[#14]

I prefer to give to charities that DO NOT employ professional fund raisers.

Moderator's note by Mike (Mav): Full quote of preceding post removed as per Forum rules

[#15]

"I know what I would do with £61m - at least 2/3rds would be split between the RNLI, Great Ormond St, Lincoln Cathedral, International Bomber Command Memorial, Macmillan Nurses, and Alzheimer's research, and a few more charities"

All very noble but some would take the view that they should be funded by the state, and Lincoln Cathedral? - the Church of England has a bigger income that MacDonalds but hey, your money your choice as is giving it to International Bomber Command which some would find rather contentious to be honest.