Lottery is a gambling game in which players attempt to win a prize by matching numbers, letters or symbols on tickets purchased from official state or national lottery agents. Some states have their own state lotteries while others belong to multi-state lottery systems, wherein winnings are shared between the participating states or countries. Generally, the odds of winning are extremely slim. While there are some strategies that can increase your chances of winning, there is no guaranteed way to win the lottery.

The first known European lottery dates back to the 15th century, when local towns in the Low Countries held public lotteries to raise money for town fortifications and to help the poor. But it was the post-World War II period when modern state lotteries really took off, starting in the Northeast and eventually expanding to all 45 states. Lotteries were sold not just as a chance at a big jackpot but also as a way for states to expand their social safety nets without adding onerous taxes on middle-class and working class residents.

People who play the lottery often have quote-unquote “systems” that they believe will improve their odds of success, such as buying multiple tickets in a single drawing or choosing numbers not associated with past winners. In reality, these systems are based on irrational gambling behaviors that have nothing to do with statistics or probability. People simply like to gamble, and the lottery provides an easy and accessible vehicle for doing so.

But there is a much darker side to the lottery: Those who spend most of their incomes on tickets are contributing billions in tax dollars that could be used for other things, such as education or retirement. As a group, lottery players are disproportionately lower-income, less educated, nonwhite and male. But the biggest issue with lottery advertising is that it obscures the regressivity of playing the game by presenting it as fun and harmless, when in fact there’s no doubt that many people spend far too much of their own hard-earned money on it.

The message lottery officials are trying to send is that it’s okay to gamble if you’re smart about how you do it. But I’ve spoken with a lot of lottery players, and most don’t buy that line of thinking. They know that the odds are long, they understand what they’re putting at risk when they play, and they don’t think they’re being duped or irrational.

The truth is, a lot of the proceeds from lottery games go toward good causes, including funding for education and helping people with gambling addictions. But it’s important to remember that those are just the crumbs from the table, so to speak. The lion’s share of lottery revenue is paid by hardworking people who can’t afford to lose. That’s not something to be proud of, but it is a fact. And it’s one reason that state lotteries should be abolished. Instead, we should focus on lowering taxes and creating more jobs, which will create a more prosperous future for everyone.

Whether the water’s icy cold, salty or just right for a swim, Australia has long been in love with ocean pools. It’s a love affair that started when convicts carved, and sometimes dynamited, the state’s first pool in Newcastle in the 1800s, and one that continues to this day. It’s a place where families bring their children to make lifelong memories, and where older people find the fresh, salty water to be an elixir of youth.

But while sdy pools are part of our heritage, they also pose serious health and safety risks for swimmers, particularly children. Drownings are common at public pools, and they can happen anywhere – including in the water. To help prevent drownings, it’s important to follow pool rules, including supervising children closely, and teaching them water safety.

In a recent case, a mother was refused entry to a Sydney pool because she was not with her child. This is because the pool’s rule was that only one adult can accompany each child, and this is a good thing. But it is also important to remember that the most common cause of pool-related drownings is a lack of active supervision.

As the Covid pandemic and La Nina ate into construction days, the opening date for the new pool was pushed back again. Now it’s 2024 at the earliest. But the delay is not without its critics. Inner West Labor MP Paul Baker calls it a “political folly.” The deposed mayor Darcy Byrne is gearing up to reclaim his mayoral mantle by spruiking the past term’s revamp of Dawn Fraser and Ashfield pools.

And then there’s the cost. The $86m restoration of North Sydney Pool has come in well over budget, thanks to a combination of design and structural issues that have eaten into the original estimate of $20m. Now it’s a question of how to pay for the extra millions.

It’s possible that the pool will end up charging fashion week shows, production companies and private parties – far from the usual remit of a local pool – to recoup some of its costs. Or it could go the way of the Waverley pool: a beloved but troubled relic that was finally brought to its knees in a political storm.

When it comes to your new pool, choose a team you can trust to deliver quality. At Sydney Poolscapes, we have an enviable reputation for designing and delivering stunning, custom-made fibreglass pools for our customers across the city. Our steadfast commitment to top-tier quality and unparalleled customer service means you can expect a pool installation experience that is second to none. Get in touch with us to discover more about our exceptional services. Or browse our website to see our impressive portfolio of completed projects. We look forward to hearing from you soon!