Marilyn, you just tell th cashier how many $2 tickets you want , if you are going for random numbers.
I figure there’s no way I’m smart enough to pick the correct numbers, so I let the computer do it for me. 
Ask for Quick Pick. The words might be “wrong,” but the cashier has no problem understanding what I want. It’s $2 per ticket, so $10 gets five.
Since no one won Powerball I’m now eyeing that one as well if someone picks up Tuesday’s winfall.
The dream is awesome. It’s perfectly ok when life returns to normal afterward. If PA is getting anywhere near the tax $ MaineLonghorn says Maine is getting, that’s terrific for our coffers. How many other “extra” taxes would so many be willingly paying - no grumbling? (Though I admit I’m not sure exactly what percentage is taxed vs going to various winners and I’m sure some part comes from what would have been casino money, but most is probably “extra.”)
Now I’m really hoping the “Big One” is in PA. Our state taxes lottery winnings with our flat rate of 3.07%. That means the state would get roughly $28,000,000 on a lump sum of $900,000,000+. This assumes they tax the lump sum and rounds for easier math, of course. That’s a nice hunk of change to drop into the coffers.
Since local areas only taxed Earned Income, I’m guessing they lose out? Or are lottery winnings considered “earned?”
Does anyone know how much each state gets from the ticket sale? How much of each $2 goes directly to the state?
““Mega Millions players in Maine plunked down $1.3 million Friday in the hopes of winning the $1 billion jackpot…The chance of matching all six numbers is one in 302.5 million.” Sigh.”
Since there are 1.3 million people in Maine, that’s a dollar per resident. I’d speculate that folks in Maine spend more on coffee or alcohol in a given day. At least with the lottery, a portion of that money is funding useful causes in the state.
^^^ And if they’re having some sort of alcoholic beverage with their lottery tickets, the state wins twice. I’ve no idea if ME taxes coffee. If ordered out, I’d feel certain they do. PA would tax it ordered out, but I doubt it’s taxed if bought/brewed at home here. “Necessity” food items aren’t taxed in our state. (As an interesting rabbit trail, chocolate bars are necessities - esp since many are made in PA. )
I finally figured out what I’m buying: Senators and Representatives. I’m gonna change me some laws!
It won’t just be the Koch brothers and George Soros anymore. Nope, you’ll hear about that “radical moderate crowd” being funded by me!
Yes, I’m thankful for fellow citizens who waste money on lottery tickets because it reduces my taxes. 
It would be interesting to see a study of how much money low-income residents pay for tickets.
And if we’re using population as a standard, the chances of winning mean that just over one person in the entire United States (population 325 million) can expect to win the lottery.
The orthopedic surgeon said my broken foot bone is essentially healed and there was no line at the car wash. So I figured it was my lucky day and bought a ticket at the machine at the grocery store.
I’m in
I told DH if I win, he can fly to Boston to see the game since his friend once again offered a $400 ticket. He said “7 hours on a plane? I don’t think so!” and I said “Alaska Airlines has a nonstop but no worries, I’ll charter you a plane.” I don’t think he quite grasps the concept of having a billion dollars. Maybe I’ll trade his 67 year old self in for three 22 year olds…
I’m feeling extra-lucky today and am 99% sure I am winning that jackpot tonight. It’s been nice but I’m breaking out of this ghetto.
OK, I’m sure glad folks are enjoying making mega-plans! Heck someone has to win!
Bought Mega and Powerball tickets for today/tomorrow, but decided that 2 rounds of this will be enough for me. Even if nobody wins the jackpot, I’m done buying tickets.
I’m in for $6 - earmarked “travel fund” - that’s what my first priority is…unless I win the jackpot…then there’s bigger fish to fry.
One MegaMillions and one Powerball ticket for me. I have no expectation of winning, of course - and I actually think it would be difficult to have that much money. But I wouldn’t turn it down if I won.
@Himom - at least for me it is the planning that is fun, though it would be fun to also “test” our theoretical plans to see how close we got to reality.
Today was a medical test for me, followed by lunch at McD’s* with H and a whole “date” of plotting and planning what wrongs in this world we could realistically right. Giving the brain some “fun” stuff to deal with after the “stress” stuff truly is a medicine of its own.
H likes to take his sailboat out for destressing. Fine with me. I like fun mental puzzles and the twist with this one is there’s a miniscule chance it could come true. Quite honestly he spends more $ sailing than I do with the occasional big prize but what the destressing does for our health is priceless. (He has no desire to buy lottery tickets - as meaningless to him as casinos - or sailing - are to me.)
*McD’s has it’s own mental plus. That goes back to my radiation days when I was feeling horrid and eating there actually made it feel better for an unknown reason. The unknown reason later turned out to being needing more salt in my diet - something that can be gotten elsewhere and pretty much always is now (McD’s is rare in our lives) - but the brain (at least my brain) locks in on certain memories that make it feel good during crunch times. I have no problem deviating from “normal” life to enjoy those good moments once in a while. As I mentioned before, it has its own priceless health benefits.
One more medical test tomorrow, so a Powerball ticket (or 5) might be in my future, though that test isn’t as critical as today’s was - and today’s turned out great - so all is well. One has to love instant results rather than endless waiting.
Now… just to test out how close our theories match reality. Should I win you might have to spare some time so we can meet, though I prefer Kauai or the Big Island over Oahu… but I could spring for your cost to meet at one of those!
We play in my office when the prize gets high. Objectively, I know we aren’t going to win, even a modest amount. However, I just couldn’t stand to be the one person that didn’t play in the unlikely event that there is a big payout! Have to be in it to win it.
@Creekland Sending hugs and positive thoughts for good news from all your tests.
@mom2and Thanks. The day is a roller coaster. Really good news of my own followed by news late this afternoon that my mom (end stage cancer) passed out in a grocery store line and is in the ER - 8 hours from where I live. Currently still waiting for more news while my brain is processing multiple options for changing all sorts of schedules last minute.
Thinking about the lottery was tons more fun.
Oh no @Creekland , sending hugs and best thoughts to you and your mom.
Since I posted I can update. Mom is ok and has been discharged. Chemo is even still on for this week. We were planning on heading up for that anyway and still will be.
Switching back to the original lottery topic… NBC had my % of wager money listed on its news this evening. 50% goes back to winners. 7% goes to the retail outlet where one bought the ticket (nice income for them, so choose accordingly!), 5% goes to the lottery itself for advertising, etc, and 35% goes to state gov’t coffers. That’s all they said. My math brain says we’re missing 3%… can that come to me in a Finders Keepers sort of thing?
Personally, I like the way it’s split. Half supporting winners and (most of) the rest supporting reasonable things including voluntary taxes. Anyone know where the missing 3% goes?