Its a perfectly valid comparison. Getting funded and hence passing the requirements is pure and utter luck for beginning traders. Any beginner who is truly skilled would never ever use this service. They would learn by themselves and they would have worked hard enough to have put enough money aside to, later on, open a small live account. It comes down almost purely to luck. And that is exactly what happens with a lottery ticket. I am not saying that subscribers of those services, on the other hand, are stupid or lazy. It amazes me again and again how some people pay money for completely unnecessary services yet have a hard time to save money for a larger future purchase/investment.