Back when I was a young skeptic, I bussed tables at a nice restaurant. The kitchen crew included a few patients from the local state hospital, who were undergoing treatment for drug abuse. One was a drug dealer from Indianapolis who educated me on the various ways he'd operate to stay out of harm's way. One conclusion he had made and shared me with this: "Fast money goes fast." While he asserted he made up to $500-$1500 per day, he never was able to put any of that aside.
A confirmation of this maxim can be found with lottery winners. There are numerous studies which show large winners of quick sums do not do well; go here for a description of some of them. Yesterday's news carried another reason: fast money may kill you. Urooj Khan cashed his check from winning a million, and then promptly died from cyanide poisoning. Police are investigating.
Finally, for purely rational reasons, there is no reason to play the lottery. The expectations for winning are low, and there are better avenues for acquiring the frissons gambling provides.
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