You all know me for my belief that *all* lottery prizes should either be paid in lump sum, or have a cash option. But I do have strong opinions on other lottery issues. Here in NY state, in which I have lived all of my 41 years, we have a lottery game that, in its various norms, is the longest running "lotto" game in the US (it began in 1978 as a 6/40 game, two plays for $1.) It's biggest problem is that the regulations still dictate that a maximum of 40% of sales be returned in the norm of prizes, a percentage that was common in the years before players could choose their numbers. Even with its cash option (which began in 1996) I do NOT recommend playing this game unless the jackpot is at least $35 million. If you still don't believe me, compare the 5/6, 4/6, and 3/6 prizes in NY Lotto with Florida Lotto, which has roughly the same jackpot odds (FL does not draw a bonus number.)

www.flalottery.com www.nylottery.org

It frustrates me why so many people continue to blow their money on NY Lotto after I try to convince them to switch to Mega Millions (which has better OVERALL odds, and a minimum $2 prize) or try Connecticut Classic Lotto instead. Somehow these people think two games for a dollar is a "great value" when $2 games are starting to become commonplace, and/or believe      NY Lotto is "better" because the odds of hitting the jackpot are not as steep as Powerball or   Mega Millions. These people need to look at the whole game. Chances are, if you play $100 in      NY Lotto over a time, you'll win back only $2 or $3.