Lottery Tickets are Bad Gift Ideas
I don't like getting lottery tickets or scratch-offs as a birthday present. Some state lottery agencies advertise (1) that they "make the perfect gift for any occasion." Not really. Statistically speaking, 75% of them are worthless, so if I get $20 in tickets, I'll be lucky if I get 5 bucks out of them. A $20 Sears (or any store) gift-card is a better deal since even if I don't shop there I can sell it online for more than $15.
Then there's always the chance that something really horrible will happen. Suppose I win a million dollars or more? Now what am I supposed to do? Should I share some of my winnings with the person who gave me the gift? Think about it: if someone gives me a $20 bill and I go out and buy a lottery ticket that turns out to be a $50 million winner there is not even the slightest notion that I should share my winnings.
But a ticket given as a gift that turns out to be a $50 million winner is a completely different matter. If it is announced that the ticket was a gift, you can bet the news media will be interviewing the gift-giver and asking if I shared any of my winnings with him or her. Then they will ask me if I intend to share any of my winnings with my putative benefactor.
Shouldn't gifts be given without any strings attached? For example, if someone gives me a set of golf clubs and it happens that I eventually become a player of the caliber of Tiger Woods, no reasonable person would expect me to share my earnings with that person.
Now some of my readers may wonder why I am so greedy that I cannot share my good fortune with the person who made it possible? First off, that person did not make it possible. I did. If it weren't for my birthday or anniversary or whatever, then the ticket wouldn't have been purchased. I am not saying I wouldn't give that person a mil or two, but I would do so because it would please me to do so, not because I was obligated or expected to.
What are your feelings, dear reader?
ENDNOTES
(1):
California State Lottery, When You Give, You Win!
Feel the Joy with the California Lottery Golden Greeting program!Scratchers® tickets make the perfect gift for any occasion, holiday, your best friend’s birthday or even “just because”. Every California Lottery Scratchers® game purchase you make comes with a beautiful golden gift envelope that is a lot more than simply gift wrap!
These golden envelopes turn your Scratchers® gifts into personal, living greeting cards from you to the lucky recipient. Simply scan the QR code on the envelope or click here and record a short video greeting to send to your friends, family, coworkers along with your Scratchers® gift. Now you’re not only giving them a chance at big cash prizes, but a personal note to wish them well, whatever the occasion.
