The expected value is actually negative. 1.5Bn is being wagered. Also, odds are, the prize will be split among multiple winners. Thus it's a poor bet, as usual. Even if the expected value was positive, it's such bad odds you could argue that the lotto is always a bad investment.
Have you guys checked out the megamillions website? http://www.megamillions.com/ The first thing you see: "Save for retirement", "Build your dream house", "Go back to school", "take that family vacation". Do you suppose there are any poor sods that are actually counting on the lotto for these things?
Wow thats not so subtle. Really, there should be links to gambling addiction support groups on on the top bar of that website. Regardless, it would be great if nobody hit this jackpot. Then it would go up to 1 Bn or so. Now the odds of that happening are basically zero. But can you imagine, that would truly wipe out all the compulsive gamblers. So many consecutive high dollar jackpots and no payout there got to be many folks beyond broke from buying tickets already.
Split pot. I'm sure the winners are happy but I still wonder how pissed they are they have to split it - good problem to have I suppose. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-03-29/megamillions-jackpot/53872762/1