National Lottery / Alternatives

[sara3]

I play the lottery via direct debit, 3 lines on a Weds and 3 on a Sat.

they've written to me to say that the ticket prices are doubling (they almost make it sound like I should be grateful!) and my direct debit will cease unless I adjust it.

well, I'm not going to! so, where should I be spending my £6 a week? other lotteries? the pools? where will I have the best chance of winning something worthwhile?

and is anyone else pulling out of the National Lottery when it doubles in price?

[lardhelmet]

Premium Bonds?

[craft1948]

I've decided to spend my pension on the Euromillions................sod the little prizes.

[tiggerblue10]

What about the Health Lottery or the Postcode Lottery (if that's what its called). The big prizes are smaller though.

[sandyRoe]

I only do the lottery now when there's a mega Euro jackpot. I know there's no sense in that as I'd be as happy with a million as I would with 100 times that.

[Jeza]

Yes I'm pulling out too and putting my money on the euromillions.

[flump1]

Have a go on The health Lottery Sara, I am !

[sara3]

is the Euromillions staying the same price then?

lardhelmet, I don't have a lump sum for premium bonds

[craft1948]

I want to win £162M................I'd give £100M to various charities and waste the rest.

[jollyroger66]

Yes, cutting down, but when you do same numbers, it's sods law

[sara3]

that's a top plan, crafty.

*goes to set up the sara3 charity*

[Jeza]

May I add I think the lottery have shot their selves in the foot. I've played from when it started, when the prize's were 12 million on a Saturday. I accept I don't need 12 million but I don't need a tenner either.

[sara3]

jollyroger, I've done the same numbers since the first ever draw!

[Prudie]

I've only done the euromillions for 2 or 3 years now so the £2 doesn't bother me. I've won loads of under a fivers and one day I'll get the mega bucks :-)

[Mass_Hysteria]

Premium Bonds and you can draw your money out any time you want. £100 minimum initial investment and then multiples of £50 thereafter, tax free and thousands of chances to win up to £1m every month. Checkout ..........
http://www.nsandi.com/savings-premium-bonds

[sara3]

I hope you're right Jeza. I'll be interested to see the stats a few months down the line

[sara3]

Prudie, I admire your positivity ;o)

MH - you think I should save my stake and invest? I think most of the premium bond payouts goes to those with the biggest investments

[Mass_Hysteria]

Surely to "save" the lottery they need to make it worth it again. £50 for 3 numbers and the jackpot capped at a % of the total prize fund.

[Mass_Hysteria]

........and it remains at £1

[DJHawkes]

The majority of lotto players buying tickets in store are pensioners, they won't stop buying tickets but they may well reduce the amount they buy.

[Jeza]

I've had P Bonds since they were introduced. Bought as birthday presents etc when I was young. I have never won a penny. I have about £80 worth. They are donkeys year old. Maybe I'll cash them in and put the money on the euromillions.