But with property prices falling, lottery players can't bet on getting the money back.

Arizona requires lottery players to be at least 21; the minimum age was 18 until June 1, 2003.

Most states require lottery players to be at least 18.

But like many lottery players, he said he intended to try again the next day.

Still, even among the most experienced lottery players, the criticism persists.

"We consider a lottery player and a gamer two entirely different people," he said.

New Mexico requires lottery players to be at least 18.

But lottery players are not assessing risk at all, say researchers who study gambling.

Few lottery players understand the value of money when they play the lottery.

You might be tempted to conclude that criminals and lottery players are often the same people.