Lottery -Is There a Lottery Curse
78Pile of Money
Lotto Winner Finally Steps Forward
Holly Lahti finally came forward to claim her lottery ticket of $190 million. Can you even imagine what it would feel like to win that amount of money? The news has reported that she is young, a single mother of two children who lives in a town of 6,500 in northern Idaho. She won one half of the ticket with the other being won by a retired aerospace worker, Jim McCullar, from Washington state.
Holly Lahti won Mega Millions
Holly
Lahti reportedly has quit her job as a bank teller, and she has taken the time
to get some professional advice. She
did not attend her press conference in Boise and asked for privacy. She won by purchasing a Mega Millions quick pick and
didn’t typically buy lottery tickets.
People describe her in her town as “She is such a sweet person,” and
“it’s all so wonderful and we are all so happy for her.” However, she is separated and not yet divorced from her husband that has a long criminal record.
Some wonder if she will fall victim to the dreaded “Lottery Curse”. The lottery curse has supposedly ruined the lives of several other lottery winners; with some saying they wish they had never won.
Lottery Tickets
Hurley on "Lost" Started Curse Frenzy
Is the curse real? The winning numbers called a bit of a stir, as they are almost identical to the numbers on the winning lottery ticket numbers from the hit series “Lost”. The Mega Millions winning numbers were 4, 8, 15, 25, 47 and the mega ball number 42. On Lost, Hurley’s winning numbers were 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42. Hurley’s character on “Lost” started the frenzy over the “lottery curse”, letting people wonder if it was real.
Some Seem Cursed
If you judge the experience of some winners it would seem the curse is real.
- There was a FL winner, Abraham Shakespeare who won $31 million. He was harassed by family members for money, was accused of stealing the winning ticket, his girlfriend stole millions of his winnings and police discovered she ultimately killed him.
- In 2002, Jack Whittaker won $315 million in WV. He ended up having half his money stolen, plus his granddaughter and her boyfriend died of a drug overdose. Shortly after this loss, his daughter lost her life to an overdose as well.
- Jeffrey Dampler in 1996, won $20 million in the IL lottery and used the money to help his family. In 2005, his sister-in-law lured him into her apartment after telling him she was having car trouble. After his arrival she and her boyfriend kidnapped Dampler and ended up shooting him.
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Summary
There are apparently several other tragic stories that make people think the curse is real. Personally, I think there are many evil and greedy people in this world, and the large amount of money attracts those types of people. I don’t really think there is a curse as there have been many winners who have had wonderful experiences. I don’t buy tickets often but if I do win I will be sure and write about my experience. Do you think the curse is real?
Lottery Winners Curse
Do You Believe in the Lottery winners curse?
See results without votingThe copyright to this article is owned by Pamela Oglesby. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
CommentsLoading...
WillStarr, I think you are exactly right. Thanks for your comment.
I do not know what to write Pamela except that everything that happens has a lesson, be it winning the lottery or getting married or getting divorced.
These are all life changing events, and they can come as a wave that we are not prepared for so our task is to learn those lessons.
I enjoyed the hub, Pamela. Thank you.
I think we ought to ask ourselves what lesson comes with the event.
Pamela, I had never really thought about a Lottery Curse...but it makes sense that a lot of money can bring people out of the woodwork into your life, and cause its own whole set of problems. I have been doing some research on this kind of thing actually, from another angle and ironically, winning a ton of money has its downsides and isn't always what its cracked up to be. You have to be wise and do your best I guess. Thanks for sharing.
I'll take my chances!
The percentage of winners who encounter undesirable situations is probably less than the regular populace. The curse of the people you list was the family and "friends" they had before they won!
CP
Winning the lottery is an event that can bring good and/or bad things into our lives. Some bad outcomes may be directly traceable to irresponsible handling of the lottery money, some may be attributed to human greed, jealousy and criminal behavior. On the other hand, some winners put their money to positive uses such as education, charities and assistance to struggling family/friends.
I enjoyed this hub. Thanks for sharing it.
Happyboomernuurse, I would agree that many do wonderful things with there money and act responsibly. Thanks for your comment.
To me the curse is the result of plopping millions of dollars into the hands of people who haven't a clue how to handle it and who allow themselves to fall prey to others who would love to take the money from them.
POP, I definitely think that is part of the problem for many winners. Thanks for your comment.
I've heard similar stories of people winning lots of money and it ended up being more of a curse than a blessing. I don't play the lotto and I don't think I'd ever want to win it (if I did play). But I think today people have the mentality that they can only attain the "American Dream" by winning big.
Cari, I think people are looking for an easier way out a lot of the time. Thanks for your comment.
Good topic Pam, however I don't think it is some much as a curse, more like people are simply stupid!! I think money needs to grow on to us slowly, many poor people or middle class have live and worked so hard and have had NO time for fun or toys. When they win the lottery, they go crazy, buying new cars, boats, houses etc. And the people that stay together ususally can't afford to get a divorce, they stay together for the two income family. Once the gain this income or money, they want to go play. We are all little children inside of us. Great hub, rate you up love & peace darski
All I know is my balls never pop out on Saturday Nights ; )
Darsky, I think you gave a lot of examples as to why people have trouble managing their money. Thanks for your comments. Love & Hugs.
TattoGuy, Mine neither. Thanks for the comment.
I wish from the bottom of my heart good luck. I am glad it went to some needy persons.
Hello, Thanks you so much for your comments.
Interesting Pamela - now when I don't win I can blame it on the curse....I usually blame it on Bob because I say that if he'd just pick the right numbers......ha ha
Audry, Well, he is the handy one to blame it on! Thanks for the comment.
This is a great hub. That's why millions people from entire the world want to visit USA. Just for traveling, living permanently or search a job in this country. One made me interest about USA is about the lottery. How this ticket sold in many place, even in the little shop, right. Please give a correction if I am wrong about this. Because I seen this from my television.
$190 million is a big money. I thought this is an American dreams to win this prize. Until now I can't imagine where all this money came from? I thought Holly Lahti is the luckiest person between millions of USA citizens. I hope she can use all the money wisely. Thank you very much. Vote up.
Blessing and hugs,
Prasetio, The lottery tickets are sold in small stores, in many grocery stores and gas stations. Usually you don't win that much money and your chance of winning is very remote. I hope Holly is wise with her money also. Thanks for your comment.
I buy a lottery ticket once in a while. As far as a lottery curse goes, I think that there are some really evil people that are willing to do anything to get their hands on someones money, whether it comes from lottery winnings, inheritance etc. makes no difference. In my opinion any time that there are large sums of money involved, it can bring out the worst in people.
Becky Puetz, I think you are exactly right. Thanks for your comment.
Agree with WillStarr and Becky. No curse there, just greedy people and evil narcissistic minds. v/r
Support Med, I agree. Thanks for your comments.
People would do anything to get their hands on money. It really is upsetting. Those stories that you wrote about are sickning, their family members would kill their own flesh and blood! eh
Christine, Greed seems to rule the world. Thanks for your comments.
I'm not sure about the curse.Because the root of evil isn't money- it's the love of money. And there are a lot of people who would do anything for money. I don't buy lotto tickets very often, but if I ever win, my children and I have already agreed that we use 95% of it helping those in need. Because I think it would be wrong to keep that much money for yourself.Helping hard working people go back to school,or pay medical bills,or even just feed their families is more important than blowing millions of dollars on crap I don't need. I think that would be the blessing,sharing with others who may just need a boost.
deedeelaw, I agree. I have thought I would like to help abused women with children to get a new start, paying for their monthly expenses and education for the mother. There are so many wonderful things you could do but I rarely buy tickets either. I appreciate your comments.
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WillStarr Level 8 Commenter 16 months ago
The 'curse' is actually the product of human greed and jealousy. I've seen family members turn on each other over a small inheritance, much less millions.