Disbelief and shock were the emotions that accompanied B. Raymond Buxton when he claimed February’s $425 million Powerball jackpot on April Fool’s Day.
Buxton, a resident of Northern California, had reportedly bought the winning lottery ticket in a convenience store in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Milpitas. Buxton discovered his incredible fortune when the numbers were announced on the computer, lining up perfectly to defy odds of 1 in about 175 million.
Buxton reportedly has plans to set up charity funds for the needs of children in health and education.
Senior Alex Kumamoto said, “I think it’s awesome that someone so fortunate would be inclined to use the money to help others. It’s reassurance that people want to share the happiness in their lives.”
Kumamoto said, “In regards to the lottery that the man participated in, I don’t necessarily see it as a bad thing, though I don’t think it should be presented as a realistic opportunity to someone because the odds of winning are essentially zero.”
Sophomore Jillian Huskey said, “I think gambling and playing the lottery is fine as long as it’s not an addiction or wasteful in money. I don’t see reasons not to play once in a while and take a chance. I think it’s honorable that the man is using the money to help set up charity.”
While gambling can pay off big, unfavorable odds have consumed the money of millions of Americans. According to data from H2 Gambling Capital, America was the top country for monetary loss due to gambling in 2013, with a loss of $119 billion.
Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling, can lead people to bankruptcy.
When the chances of winning are so slim, it’s easy to conclude that playing the lottery is a waste of money.
Kumamoto said, “I think that people enjoy buying tickets because people have a natural propensity to hope and dream for the future. That’s what motivates us to move forward in life. The thought of winning a lifetime of wealth is one of those dreams. Hopes and dreams are what make us who we are.”
According to sophomore Cailan Cumming, small gambling, when done in moderation like Buxton’s lottery tickets, can be a fun activity.
Cumming said, “I personally love the lottery and my family participates in it a lot. I think that even if it can lead to disappointment, it can make anyone hopeful. The lottery has much lower stakes than other forms of gambling since you are paying minimal money to try and win.”
Cumming said, “At the end of the day, money doesn’t buy happiness, so I think people should gamble for fun and not because their happiness or well-being depends on it.”