We can not deny the fact that the odds of playing the lottery are very small, but the appeal of searching for the winning ticket hasn’t dwindled – not even in this digital age in which games of chance are abundant, both online and offline. The ones who stay true to this particular game are drawn to it for different reasons. The lottery, as it is, gives everyone an equal chance of winning, whether rich or poor. And for a small amount of money, everyone has an equal opportunity of changing their life overnight. However, the reasons we play are a bit more complex than that, so let’s take a look at what makes us eager to see whether this time we will be the lucky winners.
The dream of freedom
Hitting the big lottery jackpot means a life of freedom for the holder of the winning ticket. With that kind of cash, huge lifestyle changes can be made – a new house of your own, a brand new car, exotic vacations, your own business, better education for the kids, and early retirement. The possibilities are endless, and with that in mind, it is hard to give up on investing in a ticket that costs so little but can provide so much.
This is amplified by numerous success stories of people who were lucky enough to experience a stress-free life just by playing the lottery. And this is what keeps you coming back to it since you are afraid that if you skip a turn, it just might cost you that new life you’ve been daydreaming about.
A force of habit
Over a lengthy period of time, playing the lottery becomes an enjoyable, habitual activity, like having a morning cup of coffee. The players enjoy coming up with new combinations and watching the draw to see if they were right.
They come to see it as the time they have set aside for themselves and their pleasurable activity which can perhaps turn their life around. If they lose, there’s always the hope of making it big next week.
Missing the jackpot by a few numbers
Dreams of success haven’t dwindled throughout gambling history, not even when people missed life-changing jackpot sequences by only a number or two. If you have had a close call like this, you got a whiff of the type of happiness only the lottery can bring. Near misses like these make it hard to quit because you have the feeling that you were so close this time, and that winning the jackpot is not only possible but right around the corner.
Lottery players that have matched some numbers in the past are greatly encouraged by that partial success to keep on playing. Maybe next time you won’t get a partial match but a complete one, and all that dedication will finally pay off.
Superstition
Superstitious thinking is very closely connected to the choices we make while playing this game, and sometimes even the only thing we base our decisions on. Lottery players believe in good and bad luck, i.e., good and bad energy that can influence the outcome.
Some superstitions are universal like broken mirrors said to attract seven years of bad luck or the unlucky number 13, but there are some of them which are unique to the lottery-playing population. Stroking the fur of a black can with the lottery ticket is thought to bring good luck and jackpots.
Just for the fun of it
Those who are not passionately after millions in prizes, play the lottery largely for fun. Of course, it would be great to win, but the thrill of the chase is enough for some people and the jackpot would be an expensive cherry on top (and most probably a welcomed unexpected surprise).
Not everyone is motivated by finances, and sometimes the lottery is just a fun family activity or a good reason to have a couple of drinks with your neighbors and watch the drawing together.
Summing up
The popularity of playing the lottery won’t fade away any time soon, especially now when there are online options and there’s no way you can lose the ticket. It’s cheap, it’s fun and it has great potential to bring people together and change your life in a matter of seconds. If you haven’t already, go buy a lottery ticket – the thrill is unique and who knows, maybe today Lady Luck’s looking at you!
