Reviews

January 3, 2024

Delve into the fascinating world of lotteries with Jeff Copetas in his book, Winning Numbers: A Deep Dive into the Lottery and Luck. Explore the historical roots, diverse stories of winners, and evolving dynamics of state and national lotteries in the U.S.A. From the highs of triumph to the lows of challenges, Copetas provides an intriguing journey. Discover the impact of lottery games on society, insights from experts, and the broader implications of lottery play. It is a captivating read for those interested in the lottery's mysteries.
 
"Winning Numbers" captivates with its exploration of the history, dynamics, and societal impact of lotteries in the U.S.A.; it offers a detailed understanding of the subject. Jeff also uses this medium to correct the wrong mindsets associated with lotteries.
 
I like that Jeff was able to gather stories from people who have previously benefitted from lotteries and also people closely related to the game of lotteries to provide more in-depth knowledge on how these things operate. Also, this book has so much more to offer than what a person would think when they initially come across it in the sense that it touches on crucial areas of life and contains valuable lessons.
 
I could not find anything to dislike about this book because everything in it was well thought out. Also, this book contains everything that must be known concerning lotteries. I could not find a single grammatical error while I read through this book, which implies that this book was exceptionally well edited.
 
I will rate this book 5 out of 5 stars for the reasons mentioned above. This book can save people from going bankrupt due to excessive lottery playing; it gives readers insight into a better understanding of how the system works and changes their mental approach towards the game.
 
I will recommend "Winning Numbers" to as many as possible who are interested in learning more about the game of the lottery. Also, those addicted to the game of lottery can greatly benefit from this book in the sense that it can help lower their chances of getting into problematic situations because of their addiction.

 

December 18, 2023

If Americans share a national fantasy, it could be that of winning the lottery and living like a king, no matter how long the odds, no matter how many stories we might hear of past winners for whom that good luck proved disastrous. In this insightful debut, Copetas examines those disasters and many other facets of the lottery industry, running the numbers on the odds, talking to lottery officials, lawyers, and lottery winners who have won millions and lost it all, and also to lottery winners who—in even greater demonstrations of luck or something as powerful—haven’t really changed in any substantive way. Copetas’s original interviews, mixed with his own research and analysis, make this an intriguing read in a relaxed, conversational style as he examines the reality of the long-shot dream: what actually happens when someone wins big.

Overall, this is an enjoyable book with surprises (“just under one-third of people who win or inherit money don’t just blow it all, they blow it all and then some”), though some of the analysis (of the odds of winning; of who actually plays) can be dry. Copetas is most engaging when interviewing, historicizing, and thinking through fascinating questions. He gives the subject enough space to tell their story and offers no judgment afterward. In a fascinating chapter, Copetas talks to Kurt Panouses, the “Powerball lawyer” who has handled over 30 lottery winners, including some billion dollar jackpots, talks about the difference in state-to-state taxes, foundations and above all, the need for anonymity.

Even knowing the odds, it’s still fascinating to think through the questions (addressed here) like whether to take winnings as a lump sum or an annual payout. Copetas looks America’s lottery obsession in the eye and asks the tough questions with sometimes surprising, always informative answers in a book that pulls the reader in by shining a light on their dreams of instant wealth.

Takeaway: Illuminating breakdown of lottery, the odds, and what happens to winners.

 

December 4, 2023

A comprehensive plunge into the enigmatic world of the lottery, Winning Numbers: A Deep Dive Into the Lottery & Luck by Jeff Copetas is an eye-opening and entertaining exposé on winning big.

Balancing statistical pragmatism against human nature and the alluring dream of winning it all, Copetas’ narrative highlights the dramatic and double-edged power of sudden wealth in America. Told through a blend of anecdotal accounts and academic analyses, this informative read bounces from bank robberies and Lamborghini parades to taxation policies for the poor and the Pandora’s Box of capitalism.

More than a behind-the-scenes peek at some lottery winners and the history of a unique industry, the book also examines the psychological aspects of winning and losing that addictively drive such low-probability gambling. If you’ve never been a regular lottery player, some of the book’s focus may go too deep into the weeds, but the sociological and economic elements are fascinating. Halfway through the book, as the legal structures and illegal traditions related to the lottery are explained, the somewhat scandalous nature of the entire paradigm becomes clear, for a cohesive thesis about the system’s inherent problems.

An in-depth revelation on an American addiction, the book offers a compelling examination of a multibillion-dollar industry that has made itself cleverly irreplaceable in the landscape of American life, telling a revealing story about the soul of a country and its priorities.