Dream of hitting the big one is more seductive than ever

"As the country slips into recessionary mode, lottery ticket sales are booming. Strong demand helped boost a national Lotto 6/49 jackpot earlier this month to $44-million, one of the biggest prizes ever offered in Canadian lottery history.

"...For many, when jackpots start to rise, especially with news of job losses, a battered stock market and a poorly performing economy top of mind, the fantasy of hitting the big one becomes a bit harder to shake.

"Real-life stories of overnight millionaires don't make it any easier. Thousands of Canadians observed with envy last week as Jorma Hogbacka, a 60-year-old St. Catharines man, received a $14.8-million cheque after winning January's jackpot, which was split three ways.

"Although it may seem counterintuitive at a time when most people are closely guarding their wallets, lottery sales tend to go up during a recession..."

"Retailers are reporting more people are buying tickets now than before the economic slump began..."