Rags to riches stories are always fun to hear. The best stories involve hard-luck cases, where significant winnings can be used to help out those truly in need. Though most of us have not won the Mega millions Jackpot, everyone has their own lottery success story. Maybe, your story is a $5 scratch-off that paid off and bought lunch and dinner for you and your friends. Or maybe, you’re part of a work group who’ve used the same lucky numbers for years. No matter what your story is, you share a common hobby with millions of Americans.
Four reasons why we love to hear lottery success stories:
1) The fantasy of being a millionaire
Yes, money isn’t everything, but the promise of great wealth is something that none of us can resist. For example, shows from Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous to MTV’s Cribs have been wildly successful because they showcase a side of life that most of us don’t get to see. Most of us are hard-working people, and the fantasy of living the “good life,” with its promise of exotic vacations and luxurious living, can excite even the most practical person. Plus, we all can feel good inside when we hear those special lottery success stories where a lottery winner is able to use their winnings to do great deeds and accomplish something special. It’s the reason that shows like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition are so popular. We like to believe that all lottery winners are going to be as generous and charitable as some top winners have been.
2) We love to root for the “little guy”
Whether it’s a contestant playing for a million dollar prize on your favorite game show, or the sports team that nobody thought could win coming from behind in a huge upset, people love to root for the underdog. For example, the story of XXX is a great story and one where most readers are happy to see that they’ve become big winners. Because most of us have been the underdog at some point in our lives, we know what it’s like to face tough odds, overcome them, and enjoy the exhilaration that victory can bring.
3) It sparks our imaginations
When we hear about others winning, it’s easy to imagine ourselves in their shoes. Because most lottery success stories are about regular people, like you and me, it’s not too hard to see ourselves in their shoes. Some of the most successful lottery slogans were the famous slogans “Hey, you never know,” and “All you need is a dollar and a dream.” And, those advertisements are 100% correct. You don’t need a PhD or a fancy job to win the lottery. Who doesn’t dream of winning millions when they decide to play “just this once,” or who hasn’t experienced the excitement of buying a ticket with a group of co-workers? Until those numbers are picked, buying a lottery ticket is one of the most exciting ways to spend a dollar!
4) The lottery is universal
Playing the lottery is something that everyone in the world can relate to. Because each state has its own lottery, and online lottery games are now available to most anyone with an Internet connection, everyone knows how to play. The lottery phenomenon is not exclusively American – in other countries, the lottery is a national event. For example, in Spain it is known as “El Gordo” and more celebrated there than perhaps anywhere else in the world. So, clearly, the shared culture of “rags to riches” stories is part of the human condition and something that can be shared by people across the world.