Whether you play the lottery for fun or to make money, there are some things you should consider before signing up for a ticket. This article is about the history of lotteries, how to avoid losing your money, and why you should not advertise yourself as a winner.
History
Throughout history, lotteries have played a part in raising money to fund public and private projects. They have been used to finance bridges, roads, fortifications, schools, colleges, and public buildings. Some governments have even endorsed lotteries, while others have outlawed them.
The first recorded lottery with a money prize occurred in Flanders during the 15th century. In the Low Countries, town lotteries raised money for public and private projects. These lotteries also served as a way to raise money for the poor and the needy.
Multistate lotteries
Several states are vying for a share of the lucrative multistate lottery market. These games are a lot of fun and offer some pretty big jackpots.
Mega Millions is one of the most popular multistate lotteries. The jackpot can reach more than $300 million. Powerball, one of the biggest multistate lotteries in the country, has grown to over $1.5 billion and has drawn millions of people to purchase tickets.
Loss of quality of life due to winnings
Several states have spruced up their prizes with a little TLC and a fair amount of public relations. The most notable of the bunch are California, New York, and Illinois. Other notables include New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida. There are several other state lottery games to choose from. The biggest draw is that a win is a win, but a hefty prize cheque is in the offing.
Addiction potential
Several studies have weighed in on the question of whether or not Lottery gambling is addictive. As a matter of fact, Lotteries are actually a socially acceptable pastime in many parts of Europe. In fact, the first lotteries were legalized in the United States in 1790. In addition, the economic impact of Lotteries has been a boon to the country as a whole.
Winnings in the U.S. are not necessarily paid out in a lump sum
Depending on the lottery you play, you may choose to take your winnings as an annuity payment or a lump sum. Whether you take your prize as an annuity or a lump sum payment, you will have to pay taxes on the winnings. In the case of an annuity, the payments will be made to you over a period of time.
When it comes to annuities, you can choose to receive payments for up to 30 years. This can help you to spread out the cost of taxes. If you choose the lump sum payment option, you will have to pay taxes immediately.
Avoid advertising yourself as a winner
Whether you won the big prize or not, being a lottery winner can present a unique set of challenges. This is particularly true if your prize money comes in the form of cash, a check or both. If you are fortunate enough to be awarded a lump sum, the first rule of thumb is to keep it under wraps. There are several ways to do this, and in a pinch, it’s not impossible to hide your prize money away.