The Scam No One Sees

Why the Government Loves the Lottery
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Seeing the billion dollar jackpots pop up all over the news had me wondering: why does the government run the lottery and what do they do with all that money?
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Johnny Harris is an Emmy-winning independent journalist and contributor to the New York Times. Based in Washington, DC, Harris reports on interesting trends and stories domestically and around the globe, publishing to his audience of over 3.5 million on KZbin. Harris produced and hosted the twice Emmy-nominated series Borders for Vox Media. His visual style blends motion graphics with cinematic videography to create content that explains complex issues in relatable ways.
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[@rylandnunn596]

Here in Florida, some of the money raised by the lottery is used for scholarships. I once heard someone say: "The lottery is low-income people sending middle-income people to college." That has stuck with me ever since.

[@TheTaxiCast]

True indeed

[@Ellron23]

Most state lotteries were setup to benefit education in some way

[@PherPhur]

300 million $ went to Missouri schools from the Missouri lottery in 2022 alone. I don't like the word scam cause it carries a negative connotation. Sure someone getting rich, but its 1000x better than pretty much every other business in terms of overall contribution to society imo.

[@GohersWay]

@@PherPhur yeah only if in your head a new whatever $300 million business is not going to decrease the prices of that product. Probably in your head collages and university are not money making business either. Basic question if you have excessive amount of collages, dairy, or some other products or specific food in your area will it going to be cheap or expensive?

[@zoanth4]

They volunteer for it though

[@jonathankeller7646]

The best way I ever heard someone describe the lottery was as a tax on hope...

[@buzinaocara]

Just the "its a tax on the poor" is a little demeaning to the poor. It's a tax on gamblers, and it just so happens that there are more lotery gamblers among the statistical group of the poor than among the rich (perhaps there are just as many rich gamblers too, just gambling on cassinos or horses, or shit, stock markets?). But saying its a tax on the poor implies all poor people are irresponsible gambling fools that waste the money away at scrach offs, which is very incorrect, the high amount of money spent on lotery by the poor on the statistics is raised that high by a small cohort of that population.

[@calholli]

It's a tax on the ignorant. Anyone who understands odds and probabilities would never give a dime to the lottery.

[@buzinaocara]

@@eduffy4937 People who are perpatually poor, often are like you desctibe. Some others are just temporarily poor, but slowly taking steps into higher incomes. Just as some people are rich not because they manag their money well, but because their grandpa did, and they themselves are just chipping away at what they inherited for free. Socio-economic inertia is a thing.

[@Redditor6079]

Nah it's a tax on the stupid.

[@PondoSinatra680]

It’s a poor person’s 401k plan.

[@maddie8415]

Thank you so much for calling this out for what it is. The thing about the lottery that bothers me the most is that the people more likely to regularly buy tickets are those who struggle enough financially that their biggest problems *would* be solved if they won...despite the fact that what they spend on these tickets is overall a bigger loss than it would be for someone who is well off financially. The entire thing feeds on desperation...and I don't blame anyone for feeling compelled to participate. But it's all just the same trap as gambling, and any attempts the government makes to distinguish it from gambling only make people even more vulnerable to it. It's all just a way to get the people with little money to spare to take a disproportionate role in funding the government (and others involved in the lottery).

[@Thewinner312]

But he is not "calling it out for what it is". The lottery is not a tax on the poor. Taxes are mandatory, the lottery is not.

[@Mr_T.]

@@Thewinner312 While participation in the lottery is technically voluntary, its regressive nature, disproportionate impact on low-income individuals, and broader societal implications suggest that it functions, to some extent, as a tax on the poor.

[@Thewinner312]

@@Mr_T. You have just said literally nothing. You have only queued up a few pseudo-intelligent words that don't mean anything. Like how is something "technically" voluntary? Either you have to do something or you don't. Nobody has to play the lottery, making it voluntary. Just saying the word "technically" before a fact, doesn't change that it's a fact.

[@Mr_T.]

@@Thewinner312 Damn conservatives, always thinking in black & white. Gemini seems on the mark for a pseudo-intelligent AI. There are situations where an act appears voluntary on the surface but may have underlying factors that limit true free choice. Here are a few examples, including the lottery: 1. The Lottery: Limited Economic Opportunities: For people in poverty, the lottery might appear as a chance for a better life, a way out of their economic hardship. However, the odds of winning are very low, making it an unrealistic solution. This lack of realistic alternatives creates a situation where the lottery, despite its low success rate, seems like the only option. 2. Unfair Contracts: Power Imbalance: Someone in a desperate financial situation might agree to a loan with unfair terms because they urgently need the money. While they technically agree to the contract, the unequal bargaining power creates pressure that limits their ability to make a truly free choice. 3. Coercive Advertising: Exploiting Vulnerabilities: Advertising that preys on insecurities or fears can manipulate people into buying unnecessary products. The act of purchase might be voluntary, but the underlying pressure or emotional manipulation reduces genuine free will. 4. Limited Education or Information: Deceptive Marketing: Someone might agree to a service or product based on misleading marketing. Without complete information, their decision is not based on a truly free choice. 5. Addiction: Compulsive Behavior: People struggling with addiction may engage in harmful behaviors voluntarily, but the addiction itself limits their ability to make rational choices. Key Points to Consider: Voluntariness and Pressure: The presence of pressure, limited options, or manipulation can make an act appear voluntary but cast doubt on the true freedom of choice involved. Context Matters: The context surrounding a decision is crucial. A seemingly voluntary act might be less so when considering the underlying circumstances. The lottery example highlights the limitations of free will when economic hardship restricts realistic options. People are "voluntary" in their choice, but the context of poverty makes the lottery seem like a more viable option than it truly is. By understanding these complexities, we can have a more nuanced understanding of human behavior and decision-making.

[@peter-ek3uh]

@@Thewinner312 The most humane thing we can call the lottery. And I mean calling it for what it really is. A fraud....or a theft.

[@user-rm7wp1qp6f]

I worked in an office of about 25 people and the lottery got to $100 million, so one co-worker collected $5 from everyone to buy tickets. After I gave my money another co-worker commented it is a bad idea for the whole office do this, because if we win, we quit!

[@chrisbuckley1785]

But I bet you didn't win and are just $5 poorer.

[@ConnorGaughan-do9hg]

​@@chrisbuckley1785now that is a good bet 😂

[@FaithandNova]

What’s the problem? Jobs replace ppl like they never knew the ppl existed 🥴

[@itsoktobehappy461]

People ALWAYS way over estimate their chances of winning

[@peter-ek3uh]

@@itsoktobehappy461The odds are zero it's all a hoax. Like Santa and the tooth fairy. Anyone who gets a payout has invested past the point of no return. The big ones Powerball and Megamillions. You have a better chance of swimming to mars and recording a hit record.

[@mikea.1586]

The worst part is if you tell people who buy the lottery regularly that its the government's way of taxing them, they go into denial mode... and usually these are the same folks that hate the government or think they're so smart that they're not paying actual taxes to the government... I always say the government is the one having the last laugh.

[@gr8life12]

The "anti-government" crowd are usually the most susceptible to other money scams too like MLM, pyramid schemes, and other Ponzi and get rich quick schemes. Best not to mention that to them, it's fun for them and education for you.

[@Midala87]

It's just annoying seeing our income being taxed multiple times over in numerous states.

[@popopop984]

I don’t want to be stating the obvious, but the government isn’t the only one that runs lotteries. It would just be another private corpo. Like the PNE with their free house lottery? Have you seen that? The only practical solution would be to ban lotteries altogether

[@Splarkszter]

@@popopop984 We cannot do that anymore. Look at what happened when alcohol was banned. lmao People. The best and only path is to educate people, and i'm not talking about schools. Just give the the info, make them realize what they are doing (basically what this video does too).

[@themikep82]

It's not a tax. The key distinction is that taxes are involuntary and enforced by legal penalty. Buying lottery tickets, while dumb, is entirely voluntary.

[@davidmcdonald1898]

For a college course, I wanted to investigate how Pennsylvania allocated its lottery funds "to benefit seniors," as the ads put it. I contacted the state revenue service to request some data, and I was pretty much treated like a terrorist. Everyone I spoke to was evasive at best, but usually downright rude. "Why did I want it," was the usual retort to the request; often they wanted my phone number for a callback. Finally, I received by mail a single sheet document with columns of numbers but without any context as to time periods covered and so on, much less where the money went. Years later I discovered that funds were used to supplement seniors' prescription costs, but eligibility was stringent with high deductibles AFTER Medicare D plans. Terrific video!

[@ems4884]

Sounds like your research for that class did not go well. Honestly, part of that is probably simply because you were a student who government bureaucrats do not have to take seriously. Credentials would have gotten you further. And if not, you could have used some of the skills journalists develop (if they are any good.)

[@TheArob]

@@ems4884 You shouldn’t need credentials to access records that they publicize as public. If they want it to be private they shouldn’t promote it as such.

[@micosstar]

@@TheArob yeah, that’s pretty sus for a government to be covert about public information

[@ckwind1971]

Is there such a thing as FOIA requests for state documents?

[@machwind3266]

Yeah, so the funds barely did what they said it did. A tiny little vein of help for the seniors and I suppose the main majority of the funds went elsewhere.

[@alfredmayes5005]

While I agree with everything portrayed in this video, I can truly say that when you purchase a lottery ticket, and I’ve done so a handful of times over the years, the excitement of dreaming what to do with your potential winnings is what drives people to buy a ticket, especially when the pot gets over $250,000,000. Clearly the statistical odds of winning are horrible, but the thought of winning the prize is a rush. The same rush gamblers get. And that’s why I don’t play anymore. I might as well give a few bucks to someone that is downtrodden. That would have more redeeming value than buying a lottery ticket.

[@kentjensen4939]

You're more likely to be attacked by a shark in the middle of the desert.

[@montaiahypolite5275]

But if you win, you can help millions of more. It all starts with a dream honey, you will never win if you don’t play. A two dollar play is worth multi million dollar possibility to me.

[@CIOZimbabwe]

@@montaiahypolite5275 you are not going to win the lotto!

[@mounirnidzamar5586]

It's a chance you do not need any knowledge or anything else it's all about your luck why do you scam?!

[@peter-ek3uh]

@@montaiahypolite5275 It's all fake. Every one of us would have known someone by now who has won. Maybe not next door. But it's a small world. They fight tooth and nail...to keep you from winning $500.00 on a pick3 game. Hundreds of one off tickets. You can spend $500.00 every night and like a miracle, the number falls on the other side of the spectrum!...The odds are not 1-1000 . The odds become zero. So...in light of that... I do not believe they would let just anyone win Mega or Powerball. There is a club. And we are not in it!

[@LeadSurge3000]

*"You have the same chance of winning the lottery whether you play or not."* *-Groucho Marx*

[@PauloBerni699]

That’s true because I once stepped on someone’s dropped lottery ticket at a car wash that ended up being a $500 winner.

[@paradonym]

Johnny: "we have to make lottery tickets a business expense" Team: "okay"

[@bjbarlowe]

If he wins it’s a personal expense. If he loses it’s a business expense. 😂

[@kaleb51]

*Team: "bet"

[@daimsaeed]

Irs: you might regret this

[@geosync9742]

Johnny has it all figured out. His life is a business expense from the electronics to the travel.

[@dbz9393]

Good fucking luck explaining that to the tax man

[@froogleislive]

You know whats even more hilarious, these people would get upset if you took the lottery away. I used to work at an AMPM when I was 17, we had regulars that would buy tickets. I would ask them if they knew what their odds were, they said yes. One guy told me he knew for a fact he'd never win but the euphoria he got from daydreaming about winning was worth the money. That to me sounded crazy at the time but as an adult now, I can see its allure lol

[@eugenesmith4770]

When you get to that state you should look at yourself from 3rd person view and realize that you're just fooling yourself and it's unproductive in long run. Life is not a race it's a marathon

[@b-rare]

If they spent that money and time wasted daydreaming trying to actually build a business or get a better paying career or better themselves they’d be in a greater position. Problem is a lot of people are just lazy and want the easy way out of things.

[@Deathinacann]

@@b-rare if youre happy daydreaming then thats winning life

[@thomashygum5310]

It is hard to argue that those people are not making an informed decision. It is not the economically optimal decision, but neither is paying for lessons in watercoloring, or a huge ass Wroom-car or collecting pokemon cards or whatever other things people spend (waste?) their money on. From a certain point of view, buying a lottery ticket in order to derive greater enjoyment from watching the lottery on tv is not much different from paying for a netflix subscription or membership of a golf club.

[@Heligany]

Thats the logic of someone with almost no hope left, the odds dont matter when its the only way out you can see

[@TraderJono]

The best explanation of how the lottery scam works. Thankyou! ❤ I am from the UK just did my research and they too use the clever wording of "good causes" and not charity etc. Makes me wonder what they're really funding. In the UK 12% profit goes straight to the government in "lottery duty", 4% to the vendors and 1% net profit goes to the operators and the rest to players & "good causes" That's a scam on a big scale 😮 My question is ... What if the lottery stopped? 😬😬😬

[@ericvetter56]

Like they told me in the Marines... NEVER TRUST YOU'RE GOVERNMENT.

[@lordice5]

Isn't your job literally to trust the government and carry out its orders?

[@ericvetter56]

@@lordice5 Not that simple!

[@SevenEllen]

I stopped buying lottery tickets a year after I started buying them regularly. I learned I was losing more than I was winning and got bored of the losses. I realised it wasn't worth it, so I ditched the habit, worked overtime a lot for a long time, and now I have back all my losses. The way to win the lottery is not to play.

[@MediaMusik777]

We should do a KZbin , how much money I save from not buying a lottery ticket , so basically save the the same money over 10 years I bet it’s 20-40 k

[@SevenEllen]

@@MediaMusik777 I've kind of already done that without the KZbin video, and before and after I started buying lottery tickets.

[@SevenEllen]

@@MediaMusik777 Anyone who wastes between 20k and 40k on lottery in ten years needs to sort out their priorities. That sort of money could go towards paying off a mortgage or ending some kind of debt.

[@elenaefremova7463]

Some people win from buying FIRST EVER TICKET!!!!

[@SevenEllen]

So? It's still extremely rare and doesn't mean that millions are still being conned out of their losses. It still doesn't justify all the poor gambling addicts whose lives are ruined.@@elenaefremova7463

[@rileyconnor1080]

I work at a bar, and I see the same people come in to exclusively play the video lottery. They rotate between a few other spots to avoid some embarrassment, but I know a good chunk of their money goes into those machines. The saddest part is seeing their gambling slow down, they hit, and the cycle starts all over again.

[@nodsib]

Yep, the worst thing to happen to a gambling addict is them actually winning something, they double down and spend the winnings and more

[@jensenraylight8011]

they felt too rich to spend their money on themself, therefore, just throw away that trash money into a gambling paper

[@dylanroff4205]

I only came across your channel yesterday and ive been hooked' so the answer to your question is because the content is brilliant and theres obviously so much time and research goes into each one'

[@rkenzie5235]

I’m in Guatemala right now and it’s so interesting to see people selling lotto tickets from a huge stack on the side of the street.

[@CeeJayLerod]

I wouldn't even say it's a case of lack of education, but rather a case of exploiting desperation. I know I spent the most on the lottery when I was about to lose my own house. I knew that the chances were almost impossible that I would win, but it was like I was hoping for a miracle to change my situation. A miracle I could opt into. That 5$ I was spending on the ticket wasn't going to get me out of my situation, even if I saved it, but even it was unlikely, it could resolve everything if I had won. So yeah, I think reframing it from "uneducated" to "desperate" would change a few perspectives.

[@shawnsalm1109]

Thank you, I was going to make this point as well, but you nailed it.

[@CharChar2121]

It's not "desperate." I'm poor, but I can also do math, so it's a tax on people who are stupid. This often includes poor people, and we should be realistic about who is paying for these things.

[@CeeJayLerod]

@@CharChar2121 This to me sounds like somebody telling someone else that professional wrestling is fake. The vast majority of people who watch wrestling know its fake, and still chose to enjoy it, while I know a ton of people that know full well that their chances of winning the lottery are close to nil, and yet choose to participate anyways. It's the same kind of comment that leads addicts to hide their addiction, because they're afraid of being seen as dumb (as often repeat that kind of comment to themselves, leading to worse outcomes). Assuming that everyone who plays the lottery is "dumb" isn't realistic, it's detrimental, and leads to avoiding the problem instead of resolving it.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

It's a tax on hope from the poor.

[@thesorrow1521]

@@CeeJayLerod Yeah but Wrestling is fun to watch and is worth the money. I get what you are trying to convey though and you are right to some extent, but while the majority of people who play lottery fully know it is unlikely to win, not that much know that it's more likely that they get struck by lightning twice than to win the jackpot.

[@maiastela]

I used to work part time at a supermarket, and people coming to buy/check their lottery tickets were the WORST clients. A couple even called me stupid for not understanding their weird lottery jargon… yeah, because I’m not the one spending hundreds on that… rightttt

[@nabri-nfg3262]

😒 they have habit of pulling tickets out there ass or asking for another ticket right as you close the transaction

[@nabri-nfg3262]

@@aleks-wy6uf 🤣 yeah bro, yet they keep complaining that they have no money and they need a winner and shit ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ buts it's probable I'm stupid

[@atharvajumde52]

Same experience. People won 10$ and buy more to tickets from that smh

[@GeneralChangOfDanang]

"Yo, I need a pick 3 double down power play."

[@beep6202]

Oh man same. I worked a service counter and never once understood the lottery lingo.

[@jczapa7]

I'm really liking this channel. Simple, well produced👍

[@pablolacruz2652]

Like they say "Someone will win the lottery, just not you".

[@jesvans]

yep. but once in a while, someone is wrong.

[@O2TG]

Funny enough actually, I did win the lottery. My name's Shane Missler, and I won 450 million, several years ago.

[@akamali7016]

​@@O2TGif u were winning even a million u wouldn't came in the comments and reply to proof the reality of lottery u could be quite busy for that haha

[@peter-ek3uh]

@@akamali7016 The lottery is fake...all the technology is used to make an unfair game. But the truth is that, there is no game. Give up before you start is the best solution. The lottery should be called "nope"....

[@CP-oc3nz]

my father was a brave worker and he spent a good part of these wages on lottery and horse races, today he is over 70 years old, has never won a single faith and lives in social housing, it is one of my best life lessons 😊

[@charlesgale4257]

better than cigarettes i guess

[@alwye]

Cancer?

[@julius43461]

@@charlesgale4257 Yeah my father smoked so much, that he could have probably bought a house if he saved all that money over the years. Can't say what's worse.

[@julius43461]

@@alittleeager1485 And you should say that about everything. It's just that cigarettes are way worse than any of those things. Super expensive, and you are still hungry after you smoke. At least if you are eating a burger each day you took care of one of your basic needs.

[@aaronchilds4539]

The fed an state tax rate is true

[@Baby-ob1yf]

Here in the Philippines, part of the lottery money goes to helping people with their medical bills. People line up to ask for financial aid every day. As a cancer patient, it has been immensely helpful for me.

[@IntergalacticSpaceKitten]

I'm sorry to hear about cancer. I know it has to be tough and exhausting, physically and mentally. And yeah, I believe that any financial stuff should always be the LAST thing a person fighting cancer should be thinking about. That's so much extra stress to put up with on top of it all. Anyway, I hope everything is going well for you ♡ 💪Keep fighting, hun and much love and hugs to you! ♡ And FUCK CANCER. I hope and pray for a cure someday very soon.

[@cocojamonica]

Sadly, we have this instead of socialized healthcare

[@28russ]

That's shit mate. No one deserves fuckin cancer. Hope the money helps you kick it's arse. Good luck with the fight and I hope the universe lets you win the lottery of life 🙏🙏🙂

[@johnlando8557]

Yep a portion of money being used, are for charitable works. And also recently almost 400 people won the jackpot on a single night. You better check it out.

[@Ayd1th]

the harms of gambling outweigh the benefits by a thousandfold

[@ofwje]

just a quick correction, it wasn’t just “england” it was the entirety of britain, or more precisely the uk.

[@Eugene384]

Lottery, the only tax people likes to pay.

[@hiddehohmann4315]

In The Netherlands this was actually criticised in the news a couple of years ago. Now the government passed laws to make their lotteries less attractive, by having limited commercials without celebrities and the lottery stands should be less prominent sight in stores.

[@Monkehrawrrr]

Most of this video is fluff... like at least 80%+

[@28russ]

@@Monkehrawrrr Huh?? What's ya problem with this vid? He has to put some entertainment value in it or no ones gunna watch it. And he came to the right conclusion. Did ya want it to just be 30 secs long and for him to say the lottery is a tax on the poor, stupid and desperate and that's it with no context......100% of your comment is incomprehensible. 🤷‍♂

[@28russ]

Down here in Australia we literally have the highest rate of gambling in the world and there's heaps of gambling ads on the TV followed by some quick "gamble responsibly" bs and a gamblers help line phone number the Government forces em to up to pretend they care even though the Government makes a shitload outa taxing gambling. There's slot machines or poker machines or pokies as we call em in every pub or club. Most countries like the U.S. only allow em in casinos. But they're bloody everywhere down here.

[@deviouslaw]

Or if they just stopped, that would be another good option.

[@chrisjackson1889]

Another thing the Dutch has done right

[@JimmySaul888]

My grandfather used to call the lottery "The Fool's Tax." It's the only tax you don't have to pay.

[@fud85]

amazing video, you guys do such a good job

[@robowenmikels]

My father won't stfu about the lottery...literally, every single day of my life, it's lotto talk (or him bitching about something). "Your uncle forgot to play his number...it came out", "There's a random number, I should play it", I could go on, he even thinks the guy at the gas station, is counting/keeping track of the scratch off tickets and giving his friends "the winners". It's literal insanity. Every other day he's driving 2-3 hrs to go spend $100 dollars at the casino, all because they give him $50 in free play and a free, ceramic coated pan. I can't say anything to him or he threatens to throw my stuff out in the street (which would be a crime because I'm a legal resident without a gambling addiction, who's done nothing wrong). Fuck gambling and the lotto.

[@YTISASF]

People don’t be realizing but that gambling addiction can be worse than drugs

[@xerowolf4242]

@@YTISASF as someone who struggled with both a gambling addiction and a drug addiction in the past, I can 100% confirm that the gambling addiction was far worse than the drug addiction. At least in terms of how hard it was to stop. But there are other factors as well. A gambling addiction is far easier to hide from family and friends. And that makes it way easier to get away with without anyone realizing you need help.

[@antinsanwo]

Damn bro hope things get better you. He’s definitely addicted to gambling, living with someone like that is never easy. Good luck to you

[@StealthNinja7]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@YTISASF]

@@xerowolf4242 exactly there is no physical sign of dependency like their is with most drugs. I was the same way too and I’m blessed to have gotten over that point in my life without completely ruining it. Glad you overcame your struggles as well

[@buggieboi1988]

Imagine if Johnny had won the multi million dollar lottery while filming. The video probably would have taken a totally different turn. 😂

[@lookinaroundguy]

Alternate universe

[@deivclayton]

I would hope if he had, he'd pull a Mr. Beast and help some poor people with eye surgery or something good like that.

[@juju8462]

​@@deivclayton I would hope if he had he spend it on a big fireworks show, and a lifetime supply of doritos

[@LisaCulton]

He wouldn't complain if he did.

[@MichelleGarciaReporter]

Why was I really hoping this would happen?! 😂😂

[@boarbot7829]

In the UK, the football (soccer) pitch at our school came from national lottery funding.

[@thetruth1446]

Thats true, I grew up poor and seen my dad dump money into the lottery for 50 years..always said if he wins we would be taken care of 😢

[@jamesjameson4566]

And he means it

[@rhodrambles3943]

I sort of knew the lottery was a tax on the poor, but had never thought about how the money is taken away from poor areas and given to programmes that dont benefit them. Really interesting way of framing it.

[@quasii7]

*tax on the uneducated

[@buzinaocara]

@@quasii7 he gets it. If you wanna play deconstryction games, then go all the way with them. Don't just switch one bad generalization for another.

[@LexlutherVII]

i also have a feeling that people who win are actors!

[@itsytyt5192]

hg

[@EsotericDichotomy]

I don't like the lottery because it takes advantage of the uneducated, but I think calling it a tax is silly when it is voluntary. (Setting aside those who do or don't believe in free will vs determinism) no one forces people to buy a lotto ticket. To me it is less a tax, and more just a predatory scheme.

[@jer103]

I use to work at a gas station. One customer would come with $700 in cash, and would put it on Powerball tickets every week. It was a pool of 14 workers at some company that tried to win the lottery. You see on each ticket would win 15% to 25% back, as I was the one scanning the tickets.

[@joeyvindictive3552]

That's actually phenomenal return for them. At my job we would pool together half that amount for Powerball, about 35 of us, $10 each, and every time we would win between $6- $15. So the people you're talking about did very well Edit- I don't mean $6 - $15 EACH, I mean total for us to split 🤣

[@boarbot7829]

The worst thing like this I’ve ever seen was a game in France- I can’t remember what it was called but it’s similar to bingo and runs automatically EVERY 5 MINUTES. The tickets were very expensive- 5 or 8 euros I believe, for a chance to win “only” 100,000 euros. The issue was that the odds of winning were ONE IN 6 BILLION.

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

kino

[@peter-ek3uh]

I would bet the odds were zero. And that the greed machine does not wish to even take a one in six billion chance of having to give that money to a person.

[@williamyoung9401]

As my late grandfather always said, "You can't beat another man's game."

[@TheEclecticDyslexic]

Just a note about better help (your sponsor). They have been giving away patient data to social media companies. IE they are giving your medical information to Facebook so they can advertise to you based on your private medical data. (Targeting you specifically knowing you have some diagnosed disorder) Don't use them, the company is shady AF.

[@adikul358]

source?

[@Mrbe.ast6000]

​@@adikul358 search up denver7 betterhelp. There is an article about it.

[@harshsrivastava9570]

@@adikul358 there are many, a quick search will show you some studies

[@UsernameOG0]

Advertising therapy is trendy these days… we all need to talk to someone about our feelings 🤡

[@haruntekin6724]

Burden of proof is on the accuser. Yes, I looked it up and you have a valid point, but all the people reading your comment without a source is shady in itself. That's how disinformation spreads.

[@daisei-iketani]

Interesting topic and very informative. Here in Japan, the lottery winner is kept secret and there are no taxes paid on winnings. You could win and not have to worry about long lost relatives suddenly showing up on your doorstep! 😂

[@misterserious3522]

The potential to just keep it all and pretend there are secret winners is too great as goverment is by definition ritualized corruption and manipulation of the general public. Power always corrupts and there is never enough money or power for the corrupted to be satisfied.

[@Oblivisci........]

You don't live in Japan quit lying you weaboo.

[@gclayt1054]

I think that means that nobody’s winning.

[@henvdemon]

Announcing who won the lottery is honestly pretty screwed tbh.

[@esuil]

@@henvdemon AFAIK in US, in many states you can refuse to be announced. But because lottery is mostly used by low education people, they usually don't understand they can refuse to be announced and don't hire lawyer before collecting their winnings. There are lawyers who specialize on lottery winners and will help you to do everything without broadcasting your name, but most winners just rush in, agree to everything and get the money, without any planning or hiring the lawyer/adviser, because, well, they are mostly low education part of the society. There are also options on taking the winnings using trust instead of as a person. But yeah, even in states that allow this, many people still go with media rush. And even if your name is announced as a winner, the only things announced are name, city and the store you got the ticket. You can simply move the state/city and change the name after that, you will have money for that.

[@Virtu953]

I always stick around to the end to haer everything being said. Plus I feel it helps support creators i enjoy.

[@HoverMelon2000]

I have a friend who’s dad is a state representative and I don’t know all the details but he recently tried to get a bill or something passed in our state to get rid of the lottery for these exact reasons and it was struck down SO FAST… at the very least we can hope that it raised even an ounce of awareness during it’s short existence…

[@patricesilva3718]

😢😢😢 They would not have nothing on it never will hear about it

[@OllieMissouri-is6ei]

The charity aspect is good

[@KingBobXVI]

It would be interesting to see a followup video covering the outcomes of people who _do_ win the lottery. I often hear that for a lot of them, it doesn't end well, because they aren't used to having so much they spend through it all very quickly and can end up poorer than they were before, or they get hounded by relatives and it can ultimately break their social life. Not sure how often that is vs better situations, but it would be interesting to see a data-driven breakdown if there is one.

[@Graysandal4332]

Ive even read that its way, way more common for lottery winners to end up worse vs the opposite. Like only a few make the right choices

[@JWQweqOPDH]

They also are swarmed by scammers. Rich people can hire loyal advisers because those advisors know that they can achieve a long successful career advising people with stable and high income. Also conventionally rich people have connections to other powerful people who can share the reputation of these advisors. Not only are lottery winners less financially aware, there's no practical reason for anybody else to give them good long term advice.

[@Dominator9572]

I've heard of lottery winners waiting to come forward, and paying someone to claim it for them to be anonymous.

[@BenDurham]

Apparently you're a lot more likely to die if you win the lottery. Like... By a lot. For money reasons.

[@amosbackstrom5366]

​@@Dominator9572 That's a pretty smart move, and taking the money over time is the only way to go... How could anyone possibly need so much at once that they'd be willing to lose half of it altogether?

[@altrimdjaferi8167]

Fun fact: in Germany the lottery winner is not taxed from the government because according to German laws everything that you win in Germany its tax free

[@ZachBobBob]

Winnings are tax free in most countries I think

[@altrimdjaferi8167]

@@ZachBobBob not in any country some countries tax your winnings for example the USA

[@ZachBobBob]

@@altrimdjaferi8167 Yeah the USA is an outlier is what I'm saying

[@pegcity4eva]

Same as Canada

[@henvdemon]

@@altrimdjaferi8167 the usa would tax us on air we breathe if they could. Nothing is off the table for those parasites.

[@technomage6736]

One of my biggest pet peeves is the fact I CONSTANTLY seem to wind up in line behind people picking out lottery and scratch off tickets 🤬 Get your ass outta here! This ain't the god damn casino!

[@joashparker8271]

As an Australian where the government isn't involved in lottery it is crazy that the government runs them.

[@whistlepig]

"The lottery makes taxes fun." That may have been my favorite line. Thank you for this video and for the insightful look into this tragically unethical form of taxation.

[@seuri678]

I do not think it is unethical, it is a service you can take it or leave it. The government has to use their more wisely and addicts are a problem. There is also a good reason for higher earners to not take the service as for me 20M more would not change my life significantly. It will most probubliy mean more work.

[@henvdemon]

rather have the lottery instead of taxes personally. Be alot more appealing tbh.

[@jasondashney]

It's not a tax literally nor figuratively. You pay a set fee for a chance at a set reward. That's literally it. Where that money goes is irrelevant. A tax is money paid directly to a government for a service. This is not that. And I think it's on ethical to deny people who are poor the chance to win millions of dollars for a tiny charge. It's also arrogant because you're assuming that the poor are stupid and don't know what they're doing. They know the odds of winning are incredibly low.

[@sophiehanson5559]

I’m an accountant who should never been seen in a casino

[@nicholasr39]

Yes! Tax doesn't have to be taxing. Another one tobacco especially in Australia,Ireland and the UK. Its over $20 dollars for a pack of cigarettes in Aus

[@jordandelosreyes5656]

To me, the lottery is like "selling hope". My dad is strongly against any type of addictive substance (alcohol, tobacco) yet he's been sucked into the lottery for as long as I can remember (even before big names such as MM or Powerball were released). I don't blame him as he had to work multiple jobs to stay afloat back in the 80s. The fact that he sees the lottery as an "investment" can illustrate what addiction does to a person.

[@forrestyt1302]

Daaanng . It's soo strange to me how a person can be against drugs and alcohol and other Addictions yet they themselve are stuck in gambling(which in your dad's case is lottery) and they don't even realise thats what addiction is.

[@SweetSourPickle]

​@@forrestyt1302 Mental gymnastics. Alcohol, Ciggaretes = bad Lottery = good

[@EntropysParamore]

Videos five-month-old so I don't know if anyone will see this however to answer your question Johnny Harris, I stuck around until the end of the video to help out with the KZbin algorithm. I thought this was important but I feel as though you scolded me like some stray viewer who over stayed their welcome Edit to add: North Carolina joined the Education lottery scheme in 2005. 17 years later our Public Schools continue to send lists home with students requesting parents pay for and "donate" items including toilet paper . Another fun fact, in 2013 North Carolina stopped the program offering a tax-free weekend on back to school-related items

[@Eurotool]

LOL at whoever added the highlight on SB 😂 saved me 20 minutes

[@MrFriday123]

I live in Alabama where we don’t have a lottery but everyone around me begs about a lottery and I have always seen it as a scam. Like whenever we would go out of state we would get one and get nothing

[@Abdulmajid99o]

Bing joker lottery Win Win Win Win Johnny lottery Pottery Win 20 million dollar. It's good thing because we made money part time. Start tickets for 1$ buck to 10$ dollar Spam

[@EsotericDichotomy]

It is a scam, pray it never gets okayed in your state

[@Alsatiagent]

Whether you save those few dollars for a beer, an investment or give it away to a church or homeless stranger, you will have done yourself a service, Mr Friday.

[@MrFriday123]

@@Alsatiagent for some reason people around me beg for it

[@Primo_extracts]

I've been wondering why schools never seem to have enough funding to do what they need to get done. This was a great investigation. Thank you.

[@LisaCulton]

They do have enough funding. Public schools have even more funds available than private schools.

[@Primo_extracts]

@@LisaCulton maybe where you're from schools have enough money but not here in America

[@LisaCulton]

@@Primo_extracts That was in South Carolina where my son had been enrolled in both a public and an expensive private school and I looked up the (publicly available) spending per student in the public schools... And found out that thousands more were spent on the public school children as compared to the upscale private school. Very interesting.

[@joez.2794]

No government institution will ever have "enough funding."

[@darkevilazn]

@@LisaCulton In SC, are private schools that don't discriminate with student enrollment allowed to claim some form of government funding? But, I wouldn't be surprised, since most things are supplied by the school in public schools, but you have to pay for almost everything in private schools. I don't actually know if your private schools include extraneous expenses in tuition costs. Most of the private schools I know are pretty expensive since tuition doesn't cover the other costs like equipment, food, books, specialized uniforms, etc.

[@mikemarsh1983]

This was satisfying to watch 😅😅😅 love your sense of humor. When u lost that lotto was the sweet spot 🤣🤣🤣

[@landonmatthew]

the bet joke got me. you pulled it off smooth until you kept repeating it 😂😂 you CAN BE in touch brooooo

[@jonblaze333]

I hate being at a convenience store in line behind a lottery fanatic. They always take FOREVER!!

[@Master-fj5xo]

Amen

[@Purepresa]

Totally agree Move out of the way!

[@tropicalOG24]

😂 funny I always say the same

[@heatherduke7703]

Just the other day I was at the train station trying to buy my sandwich and coffee before I caught my train and the person in front of me was cashing in their tickets and deciding how many more tickets to buy with their "winnings" 🤦‍♀️ I was getting super antsy thinking I'd miss my train. The line behind me grew to like 7 people when it started with just the one lady. I really don't think these transactions should happen person to person at a place like a train station 😅

[@wanderingohm]

Something that I think is intresting is what happened in the UK. Camelot was/is the company behind the national lottery which was the first lottery we had in the 90s It was up for renewal several years ago and Branston wanted to buy it and call it the people's lottery. His concept was more winners of a million and a million cap on the prize. This absolutely didn't happen.. He was villanised in the media instead and the national lottery just exploded with bigger games and lower chances of winning

[@WilliamStevens007]

I wonder if things will change now scamolot have lost the lottery. I have played both the lottery and euromillions from the start and never won more than £200 and in fact have only won twice both being under that 200 quid. I feel that it is just a tax on the poor and they play on the fact that the poorer element of society play it in the almost impossible belief that oneday those numbers will come up. But they won't will they.

[@matts2080]

Idk my mom's allotment has had loads of funding from the lottery so it's good occasionally sometimes

[@raybrown10001]

A lot of recent British Olympic success was bankrolled by the lottery. It allowed athletes to give up their part time jobs and train full time.

[@jaysmith2858]

The public has no say when it comes to where the money goes. If you look into who/what gets lottery funding you'd be very surprised, if not shocked and even outraged.

[@michaelhaywood8262]

In GB instead of buying lottery tickets you can just make a one off investment in Premium Bonds. These go into a monthly draw FOR LIFE, the prizes range between £25 and £1m. Your heirs get the money back when you die. So all you lose is the interest you would have got on your investment.

[@patricesilva3718]

This man explained it so honestly and im thankful

[@jasonbrannen7598]

It's also worth noting that this is government only because if the government made it legal for private entities to do it, then the government system would be undercut, and the government lottery would cease to exist: a private enterprise would be willing to make the odds better and take less of a profit in the process.

[@MickDavies]

I worked as a coding contractor at the biggest lottery business in Australia and learned a lot from the existing staff I worked with. We went through the actual calculations and statistics of winning Powerball, mind blowing stuff. I’m not a gambler so I have only ever bought 2-3 tickets in my life. You have a higher chance of being hit by lightning twice before winning Powerball in Australia, it would be significantly worse in the US (24M vs 330M population)

[@kawaiipoop3160]

Do they rig the lottery ?

[@JustWesley.]

@@kawaiipoop3160 Well, for the powerball it's not really rigged.. everyone buys it making the prize bigger, until they show the winning numbers but the odds of being that special person are very very low.

[@dogguy8603]

​@@kawaiipoop3160no, the mathematical and statistical odds are just shit for the gambler

[@sunsetgarage755]

I love how people win lotto every week, but apparently lots of people are getting struck twice by lightning every week. Must be such a boring news topic that nobody even bothers to report on it anymore. Your statistics suck.

[@bzipoli]

​@@kawaiipoop3160they don't need to. just do the math. here where i live they have to legally put the odds in the little thing you put the numbers in it's simple school maths, just apply to the lottery your curious about to see how hard it is

[@chench1lla]

As someone with major depression and given up all hope, I am completely immune to gambling.

[@p3rpNZ]

Lol you may be hopeless but at least you still funny

[@PlatypusPvP]

Jesus can give you hope. No depression can stay when you find your identity in Him! There's so much purpose for you.

[@aemi_sa]

i like how u saw the positive here. i bless u

[@athenaraines]

The mental health equivalent of being immune to malaria because of sickle cell anemia

[@samuhlm2]

Sounds like you haven't found the right game or type of gambling! ;)

[@randoir1863]

You left out the part about how most large lottery winners end up bankrupt after 10 years !

[@lowkeyal904]

in the uk the national lottery uses its money for local causes such as community centres, building restoration, etc. An example was then giving alexandra palace £1million for restoration/renovation

[@OllieMissouri-is6ei]

Excellent, here they should give to the elderly

[@TheMELTDOWN911]

WOOOHOOOO! Thanks man! I feel STRONG after watching this video, I was born poor, I NEEEEVER purchased a lotto ticket nor scratch things in my 51 years of life, many of my Hispanic family members have spent "mucho dinero" all their life buying everything, all the lottos and scratch tickets possible, I worked hard all my life and became a business owner so now at 51 I just receive money from my properties so I don't have to work just keep my renters happy, sadly most my uncles still poor at 70 buying lotto tickets with the social security check...is sad...the Government (Republican or Democrat) always taking from the poor...

[@imibuks-replit]

Glad you lived(living) a good life with no lotto scams

[@TheMELTDOWN911]

@@imibuks-replit Thanks! I Thank GOD because he made me too "cheap" to buy lotto tickets LOL! for this reason I have never visit Las Vegas, no way Jose! : )

[@julius43461]

@@TheMELTDOWN911 I tried gambling when I was a kid, and I like to say that I was lucky to have never won any money. So in a sense, I really got lucky early. People who got "lucky" early, are still hooked hopping they can repeat that. The thing with me is, I barely respect the money I earn, and I still spend excessively. If I were to get a huge pile of money, it would destroy me completely. It's not just the money, but it would revive my ego and my illusions that universe does look after me after all. I would never recover my working habits, as I would now live in a universe where it is indeed possible to gain a lot of money without putting in a serious effort. I could never focus on work, because I would knew that there is a easy way out. It would make me a gambling addict forever. So, I prefer living this boring life, where I have to work hard for everything.

[@TheMELTDOWN911]

@@julius43461 You are the leader of your own destiny, never give up, but respect money, I guess I do respect money because when was a kid had nothing, my dad left us, so most of my childhood had nothing no toys no new clothes no fancy tennis shoes, only could afford buying second hand clothing, my childhood and teenager years were really bad, I even thought to be a drug dealer, Thank GOD I had a Mother who kicked my behind all the time, now at 51 and retired from work only living from the rent of my properties, really appreciate the way mom raised me, with a frickig belt on the hand at all times, I suffered a lot as a kid, I could even say I was abused, but Thanks to that, I live free now, good luck my friend and please respect money is the only way to be free, see I can afford a new Mercedes or BMW, but I drive a 2008 Ford Focus....

[@yasu-ekarunaratne569]

I am an economist from Sri Lanka and I find your knowledge in economics just amazing ! I love how you are educating the public !

[@marielaausher]

I think I remember him saying in a video that he has a degree in business or economics, something like that

[@ronjose51]

I don’t know man ya should of hired more economists for sure

[@lapharge64]

@@ronjose51 and you should HAVE hired an english teacher

[@bhavanarayanasripada1354]

Btw, how is the economic situation in Lanka right now? Hope it's all good.

[@yasu-ekarunaratne569]

@@bhavanarayanasripada1354 It's actually looking a little bit more promising, our inflation is reducing and the LKR is appreciating against the dollar. We are really tightening our belts, we have high import bans, but on the converse our exports increased due to the earlier LKR depreciation against the dollar. Also all eyes are on the government, they know they cannot afford another mistake ridden with political myopia. We are doing our best! Also thank you so much for your concern. It's really nice of you to inquire.

[@koyote3000]

I win the lottery every time I don't buy them. Except when I'm in the store behind the patron at the register that does

[@Techniclay]

You forgot the complete sadness it brings family’s (especially when you win) it destroyed my family. Love your videos thank you for your personal video on leaving faith it meant a lot

[@DuncanL7979]

Your family was destroyed after a win? Your story sounds interesting and worth sharing.

[@billardon514]

Insightful, well researched and important. Thank you! By the way, in Canada you don't pay taxes on lottery earnings as it would be considered double taxing.

[@blueburyrs949]

I believe here in quebec the prize money is taxed as it counts as revenue

[@CodeineRadick]

​@@blueburyrs949 Quebec is a waste of resources, too.

[@SpaceXToMars]

@@blueburyrs949 False, In Quebec, it is TaxFree

[@blueburyrs949]

@@SpaceXToMars thank you for the correction

[@SpaceXToMars]

@@blueburyrs949 my pleasure

[@Tristanboskie]

I was super addicted to gambling for over 10 years, being fooled by my own crazy mind chasing that jackpot’ it’s disgusting how badly it can take over your life’ I made a gambling addiction support group if anyone here struggles with gambling! This video is awesome man! ❤

[@diabolivirtusen-tavares-ea4645]

Do you play baccarat 😉

[@sadedx]

Usernamecheckout

[@Tristanboskie]

@@diabolivirtusen-tavares-ea4645 I did for several years!

[@diabolivirtusen-tavares-ea4645]

@@Tristanboskie nice nice 😁 I just quit 2wks ago.... did all the neccessary things to stop myself from going to play

[@Tristanboskie]

@@diabolivirtusen-tavares-ea4645 I had to do the same thing brother, I was convinced I was a baccarat god until I ended up destroying all my savings. 50k in a month gone. I was given a trial of pain medications and lost total control. Self exclusion is what gave me my life back! I appreciate you sharing this my friend! I hope all is going well now brother!

[@eugenetan7326]

Liked and subscribed. I have been watching for a long time and you've been so real. The videos you and your team produce are so GOOD, like super educational, even better than the "education" 😏Thanks Johnny Harris and team!

[@doriprice4103]

I'm still here because I enjoy listening to your voice. Thank you for all the educational videos you put it out.

[@alexanderstauber]

The good thing about german Lotto is that the winners can stay anonymous, they don't need to pay taxes on the win, the lottery has really strict advertisement rules and the lottery has to pay taxes which helps the federal state in which the people spend the money.

[@stevemill8959]

Wow we are over taxed here our founding fathers are rolling in their graves

[@frozenfireplays9844]

In Australia, it’s quite interesting because we have undergone privatisation of almost all of our state and National lotteries (Western Australia being the exception). I never realised why governments had the lottery beforehand but it does make me realise what a short sighted decision it was to sell off so we don’t even get the benefits anymore in tax. Thanks for the video Johnny ❤

[@infernalstan886]

That's pretty similar to most privatisation that occurred under the LNP. From CommBank to the power companies, they seem to love giving nationalised things to their buddies on the cheap

[@Mandem909]

@@infernalstan886 same in the UK. Conservatives here love selling our public utilities and public services to private groups and their buddies. Rotten lot they are

[@anthonyproctor5104]

That's not true. The Lott is a State Government owned corporation. QLD. Some goes to state coffers whilst the rest goes to charities.

[@jonnyspeed8974]

They just award contracts for people to run it. Still state owned.

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

Who checks the legitimacy of the lotto and how prone are they to bribes?!

[@DingleDingleCasil196]

Nice to know, in our place more stories I think so, about winning. Better save your money and you win. Thanks for sharing your videos.

[@petermostyneccleston2884]

I live in Great Britain, and have never paid for a National Lottery ticket, since it was started. When it started, I was one of the less well off, who you would think are buying these tickets. The reason I gave when it started, is that the ticket costs £1 a week, that is £52 a year. I was paying about £50 each week for food, cleaning and other things that I needed. I wanted the extra weeks food a year. That was assuming that I was only paying for 1 ticket a week. People now say that my maths is flawed, so 2 draws a week, is 2 whole weeks food a year. They also tell me that the cost of the ticket has increased, even though I am still living on about £50 per week.

[@isabellefaguy7351]

I keep watching and not being a patreon because I'm disabled and my social welfare check money is barely enough to keep me housed and fed. I can't feed someone else too. I do contribute in other ways, like sharing your videos to whealthier people who may potentially contribute in a monetary ways, liking your videos, writing comments and all stuff that helps with the algorithm. Keep the good work.

[@Niki_Parvanov]

it also helps if you do not skip the ads, that's what I do :)

[@obviouslymatt6452]

@@Niki_Parvanov wtf bro johnny harris is rich asf and lives a dream life, you do not need to donate your time to give him money

[@user-hi5qf7gz1c]

@@obviouslymatt6452 he chose to do so. This is the way.

[@codycast]

Yeah I have tons of money but don’t support him or anyone else on patreon anymore because it’s a garbage site that’s very anti free speech. Some of the people I supported on Patreon accept direct donations via other means. So I still support them. But any creator that still uses Patreon I’ve stopped helping even if they do offer other options.

[@randomdude189]

Don’t feel guilty about watching someone’s videos who are addicted to the attention they receive from you

[@Rathial]

I've never bought a lottery ticket or even bothered to follow up on tracking the random ones I've gotten as "gifts". They always seemed like a wasteful scam to me. Honestly it's depressing seeing people throwing their money away like that especially when they clearly need their money and are already extremely poor.

[@Jspec03]

Yup. Tryna talk my friend out of this habit but he wont listen. Lottery preys on willing, desperate, and broke people making them even more broke. Sad stuff.

[@donaldlyons17]

@@Jspec03 If they are already broke they are broke either way.... Even if they win something that might not change....

[@joshuajones9296]

Amazing all the things you never hear about in the news regarding government spending and involvement. I was tempted to try the lottery then I see this and am having a slight physical reaction to the duplicity of the system.

[@a_doggo]

cant stop laughing at "COLARADO"

[@bonnyd.5334]

My first job out of college was with a New York State Lottery contractor. Because I worked for a lottery contractor, I was banned from playing the NYS lottery which was OK by me. When I took that job, I didn't see the lottery as a problem,. I actually believed the propaganda about the lottery we were taught--it came for multiple reasons: funding for education, a response to organized criminal enterprises--the numbers racket. I did live in a high poverty, rural area, but I didn't know anyone who played the lottery regularly. I knew from my contractor that the lottery didn't do so well where I lived. I ended-up getting badly injured, due to no fault of my own and becoming disabled. I now live in senior citizen / persons with disabilities housing in the Greater Boston Area. We have two places, within 200 steps of my building, that sell lottery. There are a lot of seniors who play it, and some who really do have a problem. To this day, I regret the day I took that job. I regularly ask elected officials to limit where lottery products can be sold, to not allow lottery to be sold within 1/8 of a mile of public housing or subsidized housing developments. Another thing I noticed is that most of the people in my building play bingo at least weekly. The Roman Catholic church is the biggest beneficiary of that... and all the bingo players are or were raised Roman Catholic. I am really angry at the local senior center because if you don't play bingo, you will find out too late about the outings... the best outings fill up during bingo. Our local Senior PACE program (which is comprehensive health care for unwell seniors in a relatively small, health care organization) offers bingo.

[@ShaytarnOffical]

2:26 Do one on the ‘Therapy Scam’ 😂😂

[@pillsber]

Privately owned actually but 'run' by the government. Furthermore, there are no real 'odds' since the computer knows what numbers are out there and the actual owners of the lottery can decide when and where the winner will be. If there were real odds, there would be at least a few million dollar winners occasionally. But, as always, it's a racket.

[@DanielHowardIRE]

Totally unrelated to the content of the video, but I love your Icelandic sweater - so beautiful!

[@K.B.Williams]

4:43 aight bet!! That was perfect context. I've been saying "bet" since like 10. I'm 42 now... Ok going back to watching the rest of the show now.

[@surashid]

This is really well done and it's very important for everyone to know. I've been a fan of your content for a while now and I'm grateful that you help bring these types of societal and government problems into the light!

[@BB-gc8ox]

The lottery is a tax on people who can’t do math

[@OatsMcToast]

Ty so much for this video

[@akshatjain8052]

We keep watching your video because you and your stories keep inspiring me. The fact that you are able to produce such great quality content on a regular basis, its amazing! Please keep doing this. Your knowledge and story telling has been extremely useful for me

[@TheTaxiCast]

To play the lottery weekly (some daily) for years on end is actually insane. A poor mindset will truly keep you poor forever.

[@dailydrivensedans4875]

I only and always buy a lottery ticket after going to court. I love fantasising about how much i could rip those agencies apart with a measurable amount of wealth.

[@BikiniDesignClub]

In Portugal many years ago… on a weekly lottery tv day, they came with number zero! Zero did not even existed as a possible number to bet on!!! 😂😂😂

[@SunraeSkatimunggr]

I grew up in Reno, Nevada and learned really quickly that the "odds are always with the house", meaning the entity running the game wins much more than they pay out. I have news for you, most of your taxes are not tracked well and kind of disappears. This is no different.

[@mateyp3365]

The lottery has particularly bad percentages. Good casino games generally return 95-98% of total bets to players. Still the odds are with them, don't get me wrong, but if I wanna gamble I'll always go to a casino- I've had some nice wins over the years.

[@john_smith_john]

@@mateyp3365 coping comment. "some nice wins over the years" most certainly means "lost money in total"

[@AYVYN]

I lost a couple hundred at the blackjack table trying to impress a cute blonde girl. Soon my money was gone and so was the girl lmao

[@ekevanderzee9538]

The most famous line everyone must have heard is that the lottery is a tax on the dumb.

[@AllIsWellaus]

The odds?! Wow.

[@gerbenp394]

the fact that you imagine spending all the money is like the main reasons I usually buy one lottery ticket at the end of the year. in the Netherlands, the biggest price is 30 milion at the end of the year, it's tax free as well

[@brosaus]

That is the psychology behind it. The imagination of being able to spend an ungodly amount of money is what convinces people to buy for the first time. It's fine if you can spare those few dollars a year but if becomes dangerous if you lack self control. The addiction pitfall you could end up in is horrible and very difficult to get out of.

[@mjc0961]

@@brosaus Pretty much the only time I ever touch the lottery is when it gets really large and coworkers start doing pools to try and win it. And mostly for the joke of "you aren't winning and quitting and leaving me here by myself", I don't ever expect to actually win or start thinking about what I could do with it. And I never even think about the stupid thing when one of those work pools isn't happening. I could take the $2 and buy a candy bar or something. Still mostly a waste of money and bad for me, but at least I get to enjoy eating it for a few moments and that's more pleasure than a lottery ticket will likely ever give me.

[@tystar115]

This one hit especially hard because as a person of color I grew up in a house hold where my parents would often played the lotto or bought scratch off tickets. They'd hope to win and get big pay outs and it never happened. The most they ever won was a few hundred throughout my childhood. I never understood why they'd throw away money just for the tiniest chance of winning. As I've gotten older and learned more about how insidious the lottery is I still see them both play. It's just sad because we live in a system that's failed them. Routes like education and work haven't been the way to the "American dream" or financial security. So why not spend the few dollars to have an instant shot at changing your life? Gambling and hope are a hell of a drug...

[@judylandry302]

Even as a person of no color, I share your experience with my parents, who lived payday to payday.

[@judylandry302]

@JOE-BlDEN No color. I suppose I'm transparently clear.

[@judylandry302]

@JOE-BlDEN Don't believe in religion.

[@judylandry302]

@JOE-BlDEN I do believe in my creator, God. Just not made up Corporate religions that benefit from control, power and money over and from the masses, by threatening them with hell, for non compliance. God's love is free.

[@judylandry302]

@JOE-BlDEN But it matters WHAT you are told to believe. Hmmm

[@truthlotion]

such a creative way to make tax unconsciously hopeful again

[@herewegoagain6734]

When I was a kid in the 3rd grade, my math teacher asked us what the lottery was? We all answered things like a way to get rich ect. He procceded to tell us it was a tax on the poor and explained the math like in this video. It stuck with me and even tho my state has gambling machines everywhere I don't play. I wonder if any of my classmates remember that lesson.

[@nel.tharion7]

I love that bit with Johnny waiting on the lottery number and he already lost on the first number. that's so funny! 🤣

[@yukiscarletmoon660]

I highly appreciate the time and genuine compassion put into videos like these, so i tend to watch to the last second since it means that much more to me when i can see more of who you are and what makes your amazing work tick. I greatly love these high quality journalism videos and find myself quite enthralled, i can't help but love every second. So thanks ^~^

[@keir92]

in the uk, the national lottery helps fund team gb athletics.

[@matthewpatten1068]

I heard a mathematician say your odds on a mega jackpot are not much different if you buy the ticket vs finding the winning ticket on the ground

[@MagicNumberArg]

- Our organization helps people who are addicted to gambling. - Whoa, that's cool! How do you help them? - We provide free rides to the casino, help them choose scratch tickets with better ods and do their paperwork for micro-loans.

[@TheJcmc15]

Another great video! My parents taught me this very thing when I was 15-16 yo. No voluntary extra taxes for me