Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   United States (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/)
-   -   Ever traveled to buy a lottery ticket? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/ever-traveled-to-buy-a-lottery-ticket-565364/)

HKP Oct 18th, 2005 12:23 PM

Ever traveled to buy a lottery ticket?
 
The PowerBall is around $315 million, but not all states participate. Have you ever traveled somewhere to buy a lottery ticket?

(And let me save the curmudgeons, naysayers, and wet blankets the trouble of saying the following: "Your changes of winning the lottery are infinitesimal; you have a better chance of being struck by lightning while finding a diamond necklace in a Big Mac." "Money spent on lotteries is the tax paid on failing math." "Why not spend the same money on a movie ticket and at least you can get popcorn." Etc. etc. We know, we know.)

BeachBoi Oct 18th, 2005 12:32 PM

I buy a LT when I am in Texas which is about twice a month.In fact on last wednesday's ticket, one of 3 QP's, I got 3 numbers so I understands that is a payoff of $5....I will savor the moment......:D

ncgrrl Oct 18th, 2005 12:51 PM

My brother lives in Charlotte and has travelled to SC to purchase PowerBall tickets.

North Carolina just passed legislation for a lottery, so all NC'ers have to travel to buy lottery tickets.

Yes, you chances of winning are pretty bad, but they are better than those who don't play.

lolfn Oct 18th, 2005 01:10 PM

when the jackpots get up over $50mm, i usually buy one ticket. that $1/wk is worth the daydream of what i'd do with the money if i won.

we have mega millions in our state and a neighboring state, delaware, has powerball. my dh usually travels through delaware for work so he'll pick up a ticket. i have, once, gone 20 min further than i needed to cross into delaware to purchase a powerball ticket when it was up around $200mm.

rkkwan Oct 18th, 2005 01:25 PM

Like lolfn, it was really easy for me when I was living in RI. Every day, I went through Massachusetts to go to work.

RI has Powerball, MA has Big Game Megamillion.

dwooddon Oct 18th, 2005 02:19 PM

Once Powerball gets above $200 million, there is a virtual parade out of my town of Mesquite, Nevada to Beaver Dam, Arizona, about 10 miles up the road to buy tickets.

Like you say, the chances of winning approach zero but someone does once in awhile.

Wouldn't it be nice if....

rb_travelerxATyahoo Oct 18th, 2005 02:21 PM

No.

Have you ever traveled to buy an electric blanket?

It's just about equally related to travel, isn't it????

If you want to do it, by (buy?) all means do so, but does it require discussion here?

HKP Oct 18th, 2005 04:05 PM

rb_traveller, why rain on the parade? You seem to enjoy being the sour voice so often. Hey, wanna tell us what kind of travel you'd do if you won $300 million?

Have often said I'd rather stay in a 5* residential hotel in various cities than go to the trouble of maintaining a bunch of houses and staff. Would have my own train cars in US and Europe (and maybe Australia), though, outfitted for ramblin' wherever the rails go.

Cassandra Oct 19th, 2005 05:09 AM

Admit I toook advantage of a beautiful fall day once to drive up over the Va. border to Danville to get a ticket (or 5). Previously I'd only driven rapidly through Danville, but this time I found myself on some of the prettier streets with wonderful old mansions.

As for what I'd do by way of traveling with that kind of money, I'd never fly anything but first class ever again! Or maybe only my own charters -- but the bigger planes, not those little jets.

bennnie Oct 19th, 2005 08:25 AM

I'll be travleing to NH to see the foliage tonight ;-)and may need to stop at a gas station. Maybe I'll pick up a lottery ticket (or 12). But I'm really going to see the foliage - it will be so much different from the foliage on the Mass. side of the border. (feel better rb?)

Wouldn't It Be Nice
(remember the Beach Boys old tune?)

Wouldn't it be nice if we were richer?
Then we wouldn't have to wait so long?
And wouldn't it be nice to travel together
In the kind of style for which we long?
You know its going to make it that much better
When we say "5 Star" and stay forever.
Happy times together when we're spending.
I wish ever trip was never ending
We could travel, then we'd be happy.
Oh wouldn't it be nice!

highbay Oct 19th, 2005 08:39 AM

Never traveled to buy a lottery ticket, but did buy advance play tickets while in Maine for this Powerball, so I have a "next to zilch" chance at the current $340 million!

Voyager2006 Oct 19th, 2005 08:53 AM

Quit doing so after we finally won.

Emucom Oct 19th, 2005 08:54 AM

Took a trip from Canton, OH to the panhandle of West Virginia to buy a powerball one saturday a few years ago (only a couple hours drive) but may go there this Saturday and see the fall foliage on the way.

GoTravel Oct 19th, 2005 09:25 AM

Thanks for reminding me!

Nah, don't have to travel.

dwooddon Oct 19th, 2005 11:56 AM

bennnie: Good One! I didn't think anyone was going to get my Beach Boys reference. Maybe I was inspired because I went to a Beach Boys concert Friday night in Cedar City, Utah. they still do a great show.

gail Oct 19th, 2005 02:34 PM

I drove 20 miles Mass. to NH yesterday and bought a few tickets. I consider this travel-related since I will certainly travel more for fun and less to my job when I win. I also rationalized the trip since I did some shopping when I was there - I bought an iced coffee at a drive-thru Dunkin Donuts.

Scarlett Oct 19th, 2005 06:36 PM

No, but when I win the Lottery , I will do nothing But travel :D


highbay Oct 22nd, 2005 08:57 AM

Oh Scarlett, when I heard someone in Oregan won I was hoping it was you!

highbay Oct 22nd, 2005 08:58 AM

Ooopsss....meant Oregon!


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:38 AM.