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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think scratchcards are a big con

92 replies

Sunshinegirls · 27/04/2017 23:09

I've never heard of anyone winning the big prize on a lottery scratch card.
I think there is no big prize just little teaser prizes to get you hooked.

OP posts:

EastMidsMummy · 01/05/2017 11:17

It's not a con, just an idiot tax.

Epipgab · 01/05/2017 11:48

All gambling works in the same way. You're far more likely to lose than win, and if you do win, it's far more likely to be a small win than a large win. This applies whether it's a fruit machine, a bet on a horse, a scratchcard or a lottery ticket. It's all about gaining money and publicity for the promoters, not the other way round, otherwise why would they do them?

Epipgab · 01/05/2017 11:48

So no, it isn't a "con", it just isn't a likely way to get rich quick.

LovelyBranches · 01/05/2017 12:14

I buy them at Christmas and we all scratch them off after dinner. Throughout the year I may buy about one every few months and I tend to win £1 or £2. On my 21st birthday I received a scratch card in my birthday card and I'd won £50 which was fantastic.

Katedotness1963 · 01/05/2017 12:27

In our small town a woman won £500,000 on a £5 scratch card. Everyone said it was wonderful because they were in dire need. I've been there, my last fiver would have gone on bread and milk for the bairns not a scratchy.

PenelopeFlintstone · 01/05/2017 12:32

My niece's fil won $100k on a scratchie but he used to buy one every single morning on his walk.

SparklyFairyDust · 02/05/2017 10:07

One Christmas an ex BF's family would do a thing where you spend so much on scratchcards and then each person has say 10 to scratch off. The year I was involved I won about £100, where others got the token small amounts. It didn't make me popular.

A bit like the lottery, the OCD side of me when I had money and did it, panicked what if a separate deviation of numbers come up. As I'd play 2 lines, each with separate numbers and bonus balls. Someone local won the lottery and only found out as they took the ticket to check if they'd won say £10, I think they won several million. Good on them.

It's sweet talking to DC saying if you won the lottery and had £100 million to spend what would you do. DS a bit more clued up (DD wanted a unicorn with a rainbow tail) he was saying, I'd give so much to this person, so much to that person. But this person is quite well off so not sure if they need it

If I won a big amount I would give away most of it, I wouldn't want a mansion or a crazy car. I'd make do with a normal house. I don't think I'd do anything different with DC. I'd buy more leggings what an extravagance. So what are you going to do with your winnings? Well buy some nice leggings & hiking socks as they're comfy.

silkpyjamasallday · 02/05/2017 10:13

A girl at my school got bought scratch cards as an 18th birthday gift by her friends and won £10k. Not a life changing amount but certainly not pocket change. She bought them all mulberry bags which I thought was quite sweet, as I suppose you'd feel a bit miffed having not scratched the card yourself!

TheWildOnes · 02/05/2017 10:18

My brother won £100,000 when he was 17, it was only one of the £1 cards too.

SheSaidHeSaid · 02/05/2017 10:25

I know someone who won £65k on one years ago.

Epipgab · 02/05/2017 11:37

I don't know anyone who has won anything on one But that isn't as exciting a post!

ItsOutThere · 02/05/2017 11:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

caz323 · 02/05/2017 11:52

ItsOutThere That was really mean of your brother. I would have had major SOH failure with that. Bet you could have wrung his neck!!

PenelopeFlintstone · 02/05/2017 12:28

My brother got me a joke one
Oh my god. That is the worst present ever, even though he was probably trying to be funny. I hope you win for real one day to make up for that shock and disappointment

marinesub123 · 13/08/2018 08:13

I had a girlfriend who's relatives were blatant liars and always wanting to be centre of attention. One day her auntie told us that the house she owned was bought through a scratchcard she had got giving her £32,000. her family cannot help but boast on a daily basis about anything even slightly trivial in importance. So why would you only announce this win now after over 15 years of having won it? Typically the subject matter in conversation at the time of her announcement was winners of scratchcards. Turned out she was lying and her house was Private Rented after she was given eviction notice for too many domestic disturbances with her then West Indian live in partner.

SerenDippitty · 13/08/2018 08:24

I was in a work lottery syndicate of 12 people for 10 years. Never won anything significant. It was disbanded recently and we all got about £70 back.

Norma27 · 13/08/2018 08:28

Someone who lives near me won £1 million recently on one so there are big winners around

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