Quote from R. Raskolnikov:
But, psychologically, it helps keep the masses in line as anyone can win hundreds of millions. If the possibility didn't exist, many peoples situations would be utterly hopeless.
Pretty good answer. Someone who knows they will never be able to earn millions of dollars still has "hope" of becoming a millionaire with the lottery.
Here is a little fun for you people that like Sal Khan. He made a video about the probability. He goes through the math involved.
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