Happy Lottery Day!

Thursday was National Lottery Day for 2025. . .

Happy National Lottery  Day ! ! !

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A Brief History:
Origination: In the initial lotteries, merchants invested in the opportunity to win monetary rewards. Frequently, the major prizes encompassed the tax farm associated with the wijnscrooderschap (wine transporters). These early Renaissance lotteries provided one grand prize winner with the chance to possess the tax farm. Additionally, their rewards included oversight of the wine’s quality. It is undeniable that merchants secured a profitable position if they emerged victorious in this lottery. In the United States, the early lotteries financed cannons during the American Revolution. The proceeds from the lottery also facilitated the construction of roads along the East Coast. Currently, states manage and operate the lotteries, with revenues collected supporting government initiatives and the communities they serve, supposedly, for good use like for school funding

29/1/2013 Lottery ticket courtesy of Openverse

What is a Lottery: A lottery refers to a game, typically organized by a government entity or a charitable organization, aimed at generating revenue. In this game, tickets featuring numbers are sold to participants, who then have the opportunity to win a prize if their number is selected. Legally speaking, lotteries are prohibited under both state and federal laws, except for those that are state-run or sanctioned raffles. In general terms, a lottery constitutes a promotional activity that includes all three of the following components:

1. A prize
2. An element of chance
3. Consideration

Difference Between a Lottery and a Giveaway or Contest: Lotteries, contests, and giveaways are different based on a key point: consideration. Consideration is also the key issue on validity in a contract for it to be valid: consideration is what do I have to do to enter the lottery, contest or giveaway? A lottery includes a prize, chance, and requires participants to provide something of value to enter, making it mostly illegal in the United States unless authorized. Contests offer a prize, are based on skill or effort, and may sometimes require an entry fee or effort to enter, for the purposes of managing the contest with labor costs involved. Giveaways have a prize, involve luck, and are free to enter, distinguishing them legally from lotteries. At Versatileer, we never require an entry fee or require purchase of anything; and won’t accept fees, involving the giveaway of any product, or cash/gift card.

Winning Lottery Ticket! courtesy of Openverse

Attributes Between a Lottery and a Giveaway or Contest: The primary characteristics that differentiate a lottery, a contest, and a giveaway are as follows:

• Lottery: Prize + Chance + Consideration = Generally illegal for most private entities.
  
• Contest: Prize + Skill (+ Consideration) = Legal (typically subject to regulations concerning consideration).
  
• Giveaway/Sweepstakes: Prize + Chance + NO Consideration = Legal.

Celebrated: National Lottery Day is celebrated on July 17^th every year!

A Few Facts:
I am sharing a few facts, and more, some trivia, some not trivial. . .

Mega Millions lottery tickets courtesy of Openverse

Some Lotteries in The United States:

• Powerball is the most widely recognized lottery in the United States, being available in 45 states, along with Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The five states that do not participate in Powerball are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.
• Mega Millions ranks as the second-largest lottery in the United States. It is available in 45 states, along with the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The five states where Mega Millions cannot be played are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.
• 45 U.S. states conduct state lotteries. An out-of-state person winning a state lottery in the US must follow specific rules based on the state where the ticket was purchased and their state of residence. First, anyone over 18 can buy a lottery ticket as long as they are physically present in the state where it is sold. If someone wins, they must claim the prize in that same state, and the rules for claiming will vary. Winners will pay state taxes on their lottery winnings in the state of purchase and may need to report them to their home state, although some states offer credits to avoid double taxation. Lastly, it is advisable to consult a tax professional to help navigate the complex laws and manage tax implications effectively.

Lottery Tickets courtesy of Openverse

Problematic Playing of the Lottery:
Remember, you can’t win if you don’t play. But when is enough, enough? I remember being in the local 7-11 corner store, seeing a person signing over a paycheck, and when I was up next in line, I asked the clerk when they started cashing paychecks. She stated that they don’t. I told her the lady ahead of me was signing a check, and the clerk responded that she spent the whole $500+ on lottery tickets. When is it too much? Lottery is about chance. Chances are in any sitting lottery that indeed not even one person will have the grand prize lottery ticket! The pot rolls over if a winning cumber is not produced, so is life that bad that someone would think that spending a whole paycheck on the chance to win is a good choice? For me, I answer that one NO! I work too hard to fall into that trap. Some people do have a problem, and it can get better. . .If you know someone who has a problem paying lottery or gambling, I suggest that a share of the following Link with them, because no one has to start any program alone:

• Gamblers Anonymous (GA), for persons directly seeking membership if they think that they are an addict, with or without the combination of a cannabis use problem.
• Other 12-step programs. . .

All 12-step programs provide peer support for people quitting or cutting back on a gambling disorder. Mutual support is the leading successful treatment to not just gambling, but any addiction. If someone needs support on a gambling disorder, pick up the phone and call the support line at  1-800-662-HELP (4357). If someone you love is thinking about suicide due to a gambling problem, or in general, the 24-hour Suicide Prevention Line is 1-800-273-TALK. If someone is in grave danger, always call 9-1-1.

The lottery ticket by J. T. Trowbridge courtesy of Openverse

The Present:
People all over the United States enjoy playing the lottery, but control and temptation continue to be an obstacle to responsible playing.

The Future:
We are in hope that control can be conquered so that everyone can enjoy playing the lottery instead of the old adage, “just one more…”

FREEBIES & DEALS For National Lottery Day:
💲 FREE National Lottery Day: Fonts
💰 FREE National Lottery Day: Crafts + Printable
💵 CHEAP National Lottery Day: Ideas, Crafts & Worksheets
👑 FREE National Lottery Day: AT “Hey It’s Free”

Hashtags:
#HappyNationalLotteryDay #NationalLotteryDay #LotteryDay #Lottery #Lotteries #Chance #Luck #YouCantWinIfYouDontPlay

Photo by Alejandro Garay on Unsplash

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