Do I sign this? Broken record time! Also, Poker!

[BrenDAnn]

I am so glad we don't sell those types of tickets here in Iowa. Our lottery machines scream "YOU'RE A WINNER! WOOHOOOOOO!" when someone wins, and I thought that was bad, until I read your post. Also, we try and direct people to the self-check machine, too, but either people don't know how to use it, or it's not working, half the time. Also, it's usually quicker for us to check the tickets. Messed up system? Yes. It was just implemented last summer. Give them time, they'll find ways to mess it up further. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go uncross my eyes and take something for the headache the SC in your post (and the lottery machine in it too) gave me.

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

How did I know this would be Ontario? I have some serious issues with my native province.

[Pixilated]

I've bought the poker lottery tickets on occasion, but don't remember ever hearing that annoying "AWWWWWWW". Isn't there any way you can disable or lower the sound on or totally mute those bloody machines?? I'd take an axe to it within a week!

I'm an Ontarian and occasionally buy lottery tickets but only when I can afford to lose a couple of bucks. If it's a choice between that and a butter pecan coffee ... well ...

Never heard of those tickets that pay off in tokens to a casino instead of money. It sounds hypocritical at best, given that the government also sends out all those ads about "gambling responsibly" ...

[caitsith2]

Muting those machines is not an option. You can thank the dishonest clerks that would steal winning tickets for that. The machine screen is pointed away from the customer, only one such screen, machine is muted. Clerk scans ticket, clerk sees the ticket is a big winner, clerk checks back of ticket to see if it was signed or not. If not, then clerk says player didn't win, and keeps the ticket and validation slip. Next thing you know, you see that clerks picture up on the wall where it says, we sold a winner, if the ticket was originally sold at that location.

It is these dishonest practices are why all of these rules about not being able to play place of work, and not being able to mute the machine, and player being required to sign the ticket even before validation, is in place. So yeah, I would be tempted to take a sledgehammer to the machine pretty darned quick.

[Jay 2K Winger]

The lotto machines at the wholesale club used to give a "we're in the money" tune, but later changed to a "(ka-ching) DAH-DAH-DAAAAAH!" fanfare instead.

Nothing when it was a losing ticket, though. Thank god. I'd have smashed the thing if it did all that noise and an "AWWWWW" like in the OP.

[Seshat]

but when I see these people, especially the scratchy players who sit there trying to decide which ones to buy, then scratch them and buy more... I no longer feel sorry that they are broke and can't afford food.

Gambling is, for some people, a Pavlovian-conditioning problem.

Behavioural psychologists have proven that if you randomise whether or not a rat gets a piece of cheese from pressing a lever, the rat will keep pressing whether he's hungry or not.

If he always get cheese, he presses when he's hungry. If never, he stops pressing after a short time. But give him random amounts, and he'll ignore thirst, ignore fatigue, ignore other offered food....

The only cure is to remove the 'gambling' lever.

Sound familiar?


Obviously, not all humans react this way. But equally obviously, some do. And yes, I pity them - I pity them the same way I pity people with disabilities. And I want them to get medical treatment: we live in a world where outlawing gambling just isn't going to work, it's too much a part of human desire.

But if they refuse medical treatment ... well. There's only so much help society can give someone. So help their dependants (minor children, disabled parents/spouses, whatever), and make sure they know how to get help. And sigh, and turn to someone who WILL accept help.

[Andara Bledin]

So, either you lose, or you get a chance to go to the casino, where you will also lose (more often than you win, else they wouldn't be in business).

Honestly, you get better odds from a casino than most lotteries, even on the games with the legally worst payouts.

She hit an 80 coin winner, and first thing she does is start feeding those same 80 quarters right back into the exact same machine. I couldn't believe this. At least move to some other machine, right?

While it might feel better, there's no point. Your odds of winning on each quarter is the same, no matter which machine you use or whether it's given out a jackpot on the last quarter, or hasn't given one out for a month. That's the fun of probability.

Behavioural psychologists have proven that if you randomise whether or not a rat gets a piece of cheese from pressing a lever, the rat will keep pressing whether he's hungry or not.

This. Humans act just like that rat, too.

Luckily, many of us understand things like priorities and have some modicum of willpower.

^-.-^

[ackmeow]

I think it is ontario only.

[Peppergirl]

I commend you. You seriously must have the patience of a saint.

I'd have been fired or arrested after dealing with even a tenth of her bullshit!!!

and lots of drinks to you, love.