Keep in mind that you only need to win a major jackpot once! I don't play the Pick 3 or 4 games, little lotto, or even buy scratch cards. Yes, like you I consider those a waste of money. But, to win a major jackpot in the IL Pick 6 or the MegaMillion game I do have to buy a ticket to have that chance of winning. Currently, I throwing off $10 per week on those two games of which i can easily afford. I play to win the big prizes or even 2nd place in the MegaMillion game. When it comes to playing or not playing, my advice is never spend money you can't afford to lose no matter how small that amount may be.