In Tough Times, Lottery Offers Hope

Rick and Sheyda Belli with their three children: 4-year-old Alexander, 2-year-old Cheyenne, and 6-year-old Amber. The Belli family buys lottery tickets every week.

(ABC News)

Upswing in Lotto Ticket Sales

Housing is in a slump, jobs are disappearing and the stock market is tumbling. But 29 of the 42 states with lotteries are seeing sales jump. At least 25 have set new records for the fiscal year.

Illinois sold more than $2 billion worth for the first time in their lottery's 33-year history.

When asked if it's truly a smart thing for people to buy lotto tickets in a bad economy, Jody Winnett, acting superintendent Illinois Lottery, said she couldn't judge the players, but the lottery does offer "fun, exciting products with a chance for a little upside."

Yale psychologist Emily Haisley said one study suggested that buying a lotto ticket counteracts any negative feelings that come from feeling poor, or financially behind.

"The purchase of the lottery ticket can temporarily take them away from that negative feeling and let them have the hope of winning big," she said.

Hoping for a Win

The Bellis spend up to $100 a week on the lottery, amounting to about $5,200 a year. It's a lot of money considering that Rick recently lost his job, cutting the family's annual income by nearly half to $67,000.

But on the very day that Rick, 39, got "downsized" he said he stopped on the way home and bought a lottery ticket.

"And it worked!" Rick said. "I bought a $10 lottery ticket and won $100."

Most of the extended Belli family buys into the lottery dream, including Rick's mom, Jean Belli.

"I think if you all have the same dream, like we have the dream that if we would win big, we could help the kids out," she said.

But Sheyda's dad, Grant Jackson, disagrees.

"Put the money in the bank," he told them. "There is no guarantee you're going win."