6/49 jackpot to hit $43 million
By Dawn Cuthbertson, Sympatico / MSN Finance
A sigh of relief could be heard from my apartment this morning as I heard the radio announcer say that no one won last night's Lotto 6/49 jackpot.
Despite my intention to buy a ticket for the $33 million prize yesterday, I forgot. Plain and simple.
As I sighed, I’m sure my fellow Canadians who did buy a ticket collectively groaned.
But as the adage goes, every cloud has a silver lining. With Saturday's draw worth an estimated $43 million, lotto fever will surely grip the country. Let the games begin!
I'm not sure what it's like in other parts of the country, but Torontonians covet a swelling jackpot like a person on a diet lusts after junk food. I've stood in a line 20 people deep for a chance to win "the dream."
I've never come close. Neither has anyone I know.
It's not so much the chance of winning that attracts me (I know the odds), but the opportunity to fantasize about what I'd do with it. For me, that's worth the $2 or $3 charge.
And it seems that many Canadians agree.
A recent message board on this site asked readers to reveal how a windfall would change their life and the response was overwhelming. With all the bad economic news out there, Canadians appear to be looking for a chance to day-dream. In this, I know I’m not alone.
Posted by: nk stouffville | Jan 22, 2009 12:28:29 PM
I predict that I will win the grand prize Saturday night!
Posted by: Jason | Jan 22, 2009 12:38:20 PM
It can happen! Even though my work group won more than 8.7 million 6 months ago, I still buy tickets. The odds are against but I agree the $2.00 is worth the fantasy!
Posted by: Dano | Jan 22, 2009 12:58:41 PM
sounds like the greedy are getting greeder....group wins 8.7 ml and wants more.....i would like just a little bite to be able to relax & enjoy my families
Posted by: Money Bags | Jan 22, 2009 1:10:13 PM
For Six Months You Have Been On Your Island. P. S. Stay There!!
Posted by: ed caldwell | Jan 22, 2009 3:21:18 PM
lets make 43 millionaires.
Posted by: lucy | Jan 22, 2009 3:21:29 PM
Thanks fDawn for the posting. I didn't know what was up for grabs, re: 6/49. I usually figure by NOT buying a ticket, I'm up $106.00 per annum. Humm! Wouldn't it be funny if....because of your posting........... I won, and, er..you didn't!
Posted by: MDdragon | Jan 22, 2009 3:21:31 PM
If I would win that jackpot, I would help the sick, the needy (real needy) people - put $10 Million in a trust fund towards this cause. And use the rest of the money to assist my family. Buy a house because I'm sick and tired of renting a basement suite (can't afford to move) and then go on a small trip to somewhere warmer that -34 degrees that it is today.... Of course I would continue my present schooling so that doesn't go to waste and maybe just maybe open up my dream restaurant or plainly retire and assist different organizations which desperately need volunteers to survive during these tough economic times. Later and good luck to all but I pray that I would win a chunk of that prize (not all of it- just maybe a couple of million)
Posted by: Den Swain | Jan 22, 2009 3:39:24 PM
I would reward everyone who had a positive affect on my life and family.....Denny.
Posted by: cherie | Jan 22, 2009 3:42:47 PM
I agree with 43 millionaires, even if the prize was 4.3 million to 10 winners the boost to the economy and the way that it would impact the families would be ten fold....think about it ten families who help out there families - the potential to do so much more is there.
Posted by: John | Jan 22, 2009 4:01:50 PM
Someone should really start a petition to the lottery corp. to seriously think about making the jackpots smaller and more of them. Lets face it 43 millionares could do a whole lot more good than one or just a few.
Posted by: RB | Jan 26, 2009 3:36:35 AM
Sorry to disappoint......but do not depend on LUCK to win, figure out how the lottery can control winners and losers and you will have a greater chance, over those whom are too trusting.
Posted by: Greg | Jan 27, 2009 5:50:47 AM
Ask yourself this question. If the odds of winning this lottery are worse than the odds of getting hit by lightning, how did three separate groups manage to pick exactly the same numbers on the same day? What are those odds? Three times getting hit by lightning? With all the recent scandal surrounding the OLG and lottery manipulation, do you really think the 649 is untainted. If you do I have some mutual funds I`ll sell you.
Posted by: Rb | Jan 27, 2009 6:12:07 PM
Lotteries can and do draw all kinds of people, you have to laugh when someone does win a lot of money and doesn't know if they will quit their 9-5 job or would offer it up to someone without one or claim they don't know what to do with it, why couldn't they buy a factory and put a lot of people to work. The same with the OLGC with the added draw of these massive prizes available I am sure the Government is raking in a bigger share then they are paying out. Strangely enough we never hear how their share of the revenues are dispursed after they take their cut off the top ,a small group of people that do receive applied for grants generally have little or nothing to do with improving the economy as a whole.