Everyone fantasizes about winning the lottery, in 2014 Americans spent approximately $65 billion dollars on lottery tickets, a little more than $20 billion dollars more than the national average in 2002. The odds of winning are very slim, a person is 50 times more likely to be struck by lightning than winning the lottery, but what drives people to enter is the thought of becoming an instant millionaire. About one third of the United States believes that the only way to become financially secure in life is by winning the lottery, residents that earn minimum wage will spend up to 9% of their income because of this belief of financial security. Even if a person does win, a good chunk of the winnings will be taxed. Not all states have a state tax for lottery winnings, but at least 35 do; ranging anywhere from 3%-9%. Many people after winning the lottery end up broke, one study shows that 70% of people that receive a large amount of money suddenly, will go broke within a couple of years. The reasons are all different, some people like Evelyn Adams who won back to back years against all odds winning in total $5 million dollars, lost it all gambling, she currently lives in a trailer park and is broke. Take Willie Hurt for example, he won $3 million dollars in the Michigan lottery, a couple years later he is divorced, lost custody of his kids, charged with attempted murder and developed a crack/ cocaine addiction so bad he blew through his entire fortune. Callie Rodgers, a 16 year old working as a maid in the UK won $3 million dollars, she spent it all on vacations, homes, shopping, friends, and even breast improvements. Six years later she is 22, a single mother of two working as a maid to support her family and pay off the debts she has from her time as a lottery winner, all she had to say about the whole ordeal was, “My life's in shambles and hopefully now it has all gone and I can find some happiness. It’s brought me nothing but unhappiness. It’s ruined my life.” (This was in reference to her winning the lottery.) There were many others that regret the win, Romeo Silerio won $6 millions dollars in the Virginia lottery, he says "The money broke up my marriage … The money ruined my life." Andrew Whittaker says he wish he, “Tore up that ticket.” The money Whittaker won created many problems, he became a heavy drinker and visited strip clubs often, he was robbed many times, his grand-daughter and her boyfriend overdosed on drugs and his daughter dies, all within the span of 4 years. Most of these cases seem like they were purchaser's fault, but perhaps not. There is a rumored idea posing as an explanation for the winners whose lives just fall apart, it’s called the Curse of the Lottery. It is seen as a psychological study, predictable outcome, or just a crazy phenomena that seems unrealistic. Whatever the reason for this explanation is there have been many strange coincidences with people winning and then catastrophic and life changing things happening. From looking at the statistics, the chances of a winner benefiting from the prize and improving their lifestyle is highly unlikely, the chances of being able to benefit are small and only a few have managed to keep their fortune.

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