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Monday, September 01, 2025

The Cash Fever!

Would it be nice to win a billion on Labor Day?

Say, I haven't gambled in three years. I plan on not even being tempted to do so.

I just want you to know that Powerball rolled pass $1 billion and Monday's jackpot will be at least $1.25 billion by draw time.

It really must be bad for the casino and gaming industry. I am not talking much about it. Ohio has seven racinos and four casinos. I used to work for two of them.

Since I was let go, I stopped gambling and also tightened my wallet. I work at a non union company that doesn't pay enough and I feel like it is starting to affect my health. I am experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome and I fear that health insurance will not cover any medical expenses. 

I haven't taken an actual vacation since 2016.

Still, if I decide to pay the lottery and win.... siranora.

The Cash Fever, a series of honest takes on how to be a smart jackpot winner. And take my word for it, it comes in handy when you enter a new tax bracket. 

So once again, if you are willing to risk a few dollars, maybe you could become a billionaire.

With these polarizing times, maybe if you do win, you could leave the United States and find a tax haven in a green notice country or territory.

Things to get out the way.....


In about 23 states, you can remain anonymous. But if you are willing to show yourself to the public, here we go.....

Do want to you want to be a millionaire or billionaire?

In my state of Ohio, sports betting is legal. You can legally bet on sporting events for chance of earning a huge payout. The state has issued licenses to the four casinos and seven racinos. 

Sports betting is also available at many bars, clubs and convenience stores that have legal betting stations.

I am wondering, are you willing to pony up at least $2 to play a multi-state lottery game for a chance at winning over $1 billion?

Played in 45 states, the District of Columbia and two U.S. territories, Powerball is a coordinated by the State Lottery Association (MUSL), a nonprofit organization formed by an agreement with lobbyists and U.S. corporations. From its inaugural drawing on April 19, 1992, until August 21, 2021, Powerball drawings were held twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday); a third weekly drawing (held Mondays) was added on August 23, 2021. Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evening at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time, at Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee.

Mega Millions is drawn at 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday and Friday evenings, including holidays. Mega Millions is administered by a consortium of its 12 original lotteries; the drawings are held at the studios of WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia, supervised by the Georgia Lottery. Played in 45 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. Virgin Islands with Puerto Rico being added in the near future, Mega Millions is independent from MUSL but does have an agreement with the consortium of states that operated the similar Mega Millions lottery, which allowed MUSL members to sell Mega Millions tickets and consortium members to sell Powerball tickets. 

Many who are often playing are not rich. I will take the posts of X user Andrew Lokenauth (@FluentInFinance). In Dec. 2024, he made almost similar advice to what you should do if you become an instant billionaire.

Most who often play are either a family member, co-worker or friend who has a gambling addiction.

So here's the public service announcement.

Most lotteries and casinos offer help for problem gambling. I want to acknowledge this.

The National Council on Problem Gambling operates the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network (1-800-522-4700). The network is a single national access point to local resources for those seeking help for a gambling problem. 

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 988, or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more on the Lifeline’s website or the Crisis Text Line’s website.

You can get help if you, a loved one or friend is dealing with drug abuse.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

It is a difficult thing to tell a family member, friend, co-worker or a player of a gambling venue. But if see something, say something. It may save a life.

The signs of problem gambling include:

  • The person constantly borrowing money from friends, family, loan facilities or banks.
  • The person is always taking more out to chase the jackpot (or clout).
  • The person loses track of time or misses appointments due to gambling.
  • The person is running late on paying bills or dues.
  • The person feels like "playing it back" is the only way to win.
  • The person is getting agitated over wins and losses.
  • The person is using alcohol or drugs to ease stress. 
  • The person damages property at casinos or lottery retailers.
  • The person deliberately asks others to claim prizes to avoid paying child support, spousal support or owed taxes.
  • The person uses false ID, false social security numbers or gives wrong information to avoid taxes or has known status as a banned guest or voluntarily excluded player (self-prevention/restricted gambler).
  • The person is restless and feel the only way to relax is to gamble.
  • The person is jeopardizing relationships, their jobs and their social life in order to gamble.
  • The person repeatedly lies about wins and loses.
  • The person is trying to curb problem gambling but never achieves the goal.
  • The person has trouble adjusting to increases in lottery prices and rule changes.
  • The person usually holds up lines in businesses due to inconsistent demands or repetitive calls of plays and bets.
  • The person often uses phone apps to purchase lottery tickets and sports bets without consideration of funds.
  • The person is upset when family members, friends or frequent winners win jackpots or prizes.

These are the hard truths about problem gambling. You know someone or have a problem. That's why it's important to know your limits when you gamble. 

Folks, the multi-state Powerball will now have three active drawings. The original jackpot drawings were on Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59pm. Now the drawings will be on Monday nights as well.

It will try to increase the opportunity for players who avoided playing during the pandemic.

Rules on how to play lottery. Note: Many lottery venues are no longer taking verbal requests due to the coronavirus and the possibility of eliminating long wait times due to excessive ticket requests.

  • Make sure you have money on hand. The operator is required to take money before issuing a ticket. Make sure you have your numbers placed on either a betting card, your lottery app or a previous ticket. Most operators will help you plug numbers in through the terminal or place an automatic bet for you. However in the case of long lines or possible errors, it would be best to be prepared for the transaction. Some states do offer debit and credit transactions. Make sure you get your information from your local lottery commission. You cannot cancel Powerball or Mega Millions tickets. They are property of your state (or territory's) lottery commission. Any alteration, distortion or underage playing will void the games.
  • In most states, the required age to play the lottery is 18 years old (21 in some states) or older. Do not let anyone under the playing age purchase a ticket or lottery game. The operator could lose their license or you will forfeit your prize if the regional lottery operator determined that an underage player was the winner.
  • If you purchase Powerball and Mega Millions from another state (or territory) and you won, understand that it is not a winner in your home state. You must return to the state (or territory) where you purchased the ticket. The Mega Millions is played in 45 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Powerball is played in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you're a traveler and won the lottery in the state of purchase, you have to return to the state to claim your prize. Every state has their own rules and regulations so don't think "it's all the same." It's not. It's a licensed property of the state gaming commission. 
  • Whenever a lottery retailer handles a jackpot ticket, ask the cashier to make sure you hear the "winner" sound. Most machines will make a noise if you're a winner. There are also ticket verifying stations located near a lottery terminal. Make sure before you hand a ticket to a cashier, you are sure you won a jackpot. Ask for a claims form and/or a validation claim voucher. If you are claiming jackpots that are under $500 or less at a licensed lottery operator, check your tickets at a lottery scanner first before handing the ticket off to the clerk. Make sure the cashier confirms the ticket. Tickets over $500 or more may have to go to a local lottery office in a regional jurisdiction. Lottery operators have vendor licenses and tickets are printed by a large set of numbers. If any allegations of fraud or cheating do occur, the lottery can subpoena the operator for the records of purchase and video surveillance of the person who purchased the ticket.
  • Mega Millions tickets are $5 per unit. The multiplier is included regardless of how many tickets are purchased. Powerball tickets are $2 with an additional $1 for the multiplier. Mega Millions minimum jackpots start at $50 million. Powerball minimum jackpots start at $20 million.
  • You can view the results of Mega Millions and Powerball on your local television station at 10:59pm. Mega Millions is drawn on Tuesday and Friday. Powerball is drawn on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. You can also get your state's lottery results on websites, the lottery commission apps on the Apple Store and Google Play. You can view results on social media. 
  • You can self-validate tickets under $500 through your phone so it can make it "touchless" contact. You can also get winnings under $500 installed in your bank account or through a credit card. Some fees do apply for distribution of cards and bank deposits.
  • You have at least 90 days to a year to claim a Mega Millions or Powerball jackpot. Some states have a period of time to claim your prize. If you fail to claim the prize upon its final claim day, it will go back to the state. The lottery operator will collect a reward for selling the winning ticket. Do not wait till the last minute to claim a jackpot prize. The lottery commission does have the right to forfeit or cancel any prizes presented.
  • Do not quit your job until you're certain you won the lottery. At the end of the day, some people get bored with their lives and may want to return to the workforce. Don't burn bridges with your employer. You may have to return back to the employer one day.
  • Inflation and the coronavirus have changed the world. Many companies have risen prices on food, supplies, rent and utilities. Lottery paper has become very scarce in some retailers. Please understand that it is not a retailer's fault they are out of lottery paper or the machine is down. Please have patience and an understanding of a lottery retailer's resources.
  • Do not believe the news reports about a winner coming forward immediately after the announcement of a winning ticket being sold. If the winner was smart, they would wait until the media moves on to the latest controversy. When you see a person appear in public 24 hours after a win, it is a publicity stunt or a grift. Many winners do not appear until they are in the presence of lottery officials, security and lawyers.

You know I've often posted about what I would do if I won the lottery. It is not legal advise so you don't have to take my word for it. I am just expressing what I am going to do if I win the lottery.

I will first write my name on the lottery ticket. If I choose to not write my name on the ticket, I will prepare a trust fund. I will always make sure that if I ever lose that ticket, my name is on it and it cannot be claimed by someone who is the person who wrote on the back of it.

I will also make sure I take a picture of the ticket. It will be a good thing to take a picture if you want to prove to your state's lottery commission that you were the one who purchased the ticket. I mean it would be smart to take pictures of your lottery tickets. Say if you have a group purchase of lottery tickets and you purchase one for yourself or your family member. You won't have to obligate to the group pool's tickets if you show that you bought one for yourself. Because it will be a legal matter if you purchase the group tickets but failed to disclose you purchased one for yourself. Even though you won on your own separate ticket, it's best to let the group know that you purchased a solo ticket to prevent them from believing you've stolen money or violated the group's contract.

If I do win the lottery, I will immediately pay off all my debts. The car loans, child support, spousal support, medical bills, phone bills, mortgage, court fees and bank loans will be paid in full. Before I even collect my lottery winnings, I want to be caught up on everything. Many states will offset lottery winnings due to a person owning state debt, child support, spousal support and court fees. If you know that you owe, pay it off.

I will immediately close my social media and change my phone number. If you're a winner of the lottery, the junk food media, your family, your friends, your acquaintances, your co-workers, your former lovers, your community, charity groups, scammers and the state will know you. I am going to cancel my Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and social dating apps. I am very clear about my movements and I chose to not be public about it. When I was younger and naive, I would have shown my face to the public. But alas, I've gotten older and I am not the same as I was when I was younger. People are willing to rob and sometimes kill if you reveal yourself as a lottery winner.

I will also get a trust fund prepared, a will and a trusted member of family to hold my winnings. Yeah, it would be nice to establish a trust fund for family members if you do die. I mean life is full of uncertainty. Winning the lottery has higher odds than catching the coronavirus or being struck . On point, 1 out of 15 people are infected with the coronavirus and people have died from it. You win the lottery one day and the next day you caught the coronavirus. You got to remind yourself, you can't take it when you're gone. So it's best to establish a will to distribute your lottery winning to either family, charity and those who you feel deserve it. It will be written and notarized by an attorney or a bank. If you do establish a trust fund you could hire a financial advisor or a family member to oversee your earnings. Make sure that financial advisor is licensed and trusted by the Better Business Bureau. It also must be routine to study on how lottery winners adapt to money. Cause you're going into a bigger tax bracket and taxes vary in many states.

Now that I have my lottery winnings, I will now take the opportunity to buy things that are rational. I would purchase a vehicle, get a home, put some in an investment and prepare for a vacation. Of course, vacations are no longer the norm in the age of COVID-19. Trump's return has made Americans more cautious about traveling overseas. The United States support for Israel also made it more difficult for Americans to travel. So I would be smart to be prepared to be tested or vaccinated for the coronavirus before I take a vacation. I will not take a personal phone or tablet with me. Always use a pay as go phone or a tablet with strong VPNs. Some countries and the United States will check your electronics without consent. Many countries have banned Americans entry to their countries out of fear of being in support of Israel. Some travelers maybe carrying a serious illness like the coronavirus or not be vaccinated. With the rise of serious diseases and Trump's failure to take control of the matter, world leaders don't trust the American leadership in handling a global pandemic. Expensive vehicles include more insurance rates. More homes require use of electricity or water resources. Overseas vacations are nice but you must check with the State Department if you travel to countries that could pose danger to you as an American. Think rational about your winnings. Because at the end of the day, you can blow millions in a matter of five years.

You might also want to make sure you're not playing lottery on company work time if you work at gas stations, restaurants, casinos, bars and pool halls. You might also want to make sure that you don't scratch the tickets first then pay for them last. I used to work at a gas station and a former co-worker often took lottery tickets, scratch them off and then pay for them after they were scratched.

Taking lottery tickets is not only theft but a felony in some states if the vendor decides to press charges. 

Not only the lottery vendor could lose their license (if they look the other way), they lose the bonus from the sold winning ticket and they could be audited by the lottery commission. The worker will be forbidden from playing lottery if convicted. And yes, family members or friends who try to buy on behalf of a banned player could be criminally charged.

Be humble about winning the lottery. You will not live a normal life. You could hopefully use the lottery winnings for a long time of success or squander it away within five years and end up miserable. Do not worry about the have-nots! Enjoy the winnings with pride and caution. Your success shouldn't be a punishment. If you do take the opportunity to win the lottery make yourself aware of the surroundings. 

This is not a joke.

This my opinion and I stand by what I say!

President Donald J. Trump's policies have put a dent in America's playground. The city of Las Vegas is struggling right now. Thanks to his push to deport immigrants, the harsh conditions for foreign travelers visiting the United States, the tariffs and people struggling financially, Las Vegas has a drop in revenue.

Las Vegas has seen a 15% decline in tourism. That amounts to at least $40 billion in revenue. The cost of products inside casinos are way too expensive. 

Not many people are lining up in crowded lines. I mean at one time, you would have lines for blocks trying to buy a Powerball or Mega Millions ticket. Not anymore.

People are reluctant because of the odds. The frequent states that often winner claim tickets from, California and Florida often discourage high player turnout.

Now to the greed of all things.

A Flint, Michigan group was caught using fake credit cards to steal lottery tickets.

The Warsaw Police Department has identified three individuals believed to be responsible for a widespread fraud scheme targeting retail stores across Eastern North Carolina and multiple states nationwide.

The investigation was in cooperation with the Jacksonville Police Department, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, Beulaville Police Department, Clinton Police Department, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE), and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

Over the past several months, investigators have uncovered a series of thefts involving prepaid Visa gift cards and lottery tickets, in which suspects used deceptive payment tactics to obtain thousands of dollars in merchandise and winnings fraudulently, according to a news release.

Two men and a woman went across the country trying to purchase lottery and food with fraudulent cards.

At local businesses, the suspects presented non-functioning Cash App or YouTube gift cards and inadvertently activated the cards. Once activated, the suspects grabbed the items and fled the premises—typically escaping in a white Volkswagen Tiguan SUV bearing Florida registration. The vehicle was registered to Avis Rental, and further investigation revealed ties to three suspects.

The Warsaw Police Department can now confirm the identity and legal status of the following suspects, all of whom are from Flint, Michigan:

Darious Delshawn Welch, 20, was extradited from Illinois and transported back to Duplin County, North Carolina, on August 26, 2025. A detective from the Warsaw Police Department then interviewed him. He was served with nine active warrants issued by multiple agencies, including the Warsaw Police Department, Beulaville Police Department, Clinton Police Department, Jacksonville Police Department, and Onslow County Sheriff’s Office.

Welch is currently being held in the Duplin County Jail under a $180,000 secured bond. He is facing a total of 31 charges, including:

• 9 counts of Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretense

• 1 count of Felony in Possession of Stolen Goods

• 8 counts of Felony Conspiracy

• 4 counts of Felony Organized Retail Theft

• 2 counts of Felony Larceny

• 6 counts of Misdemeanor Larceny

• 1 count of Misdemeanor Conspiracy

Welch is expected to appear in the courts of Duplin, Sampson, and Onslow counties in the coming days. Additionally, an active investigation is underway in South Carolina, where Welch is also suspected of committing similar offenses.

Keaysha Warren, 22, has been identified through forensic evidence, including the use of her Michigan EBT card at several locations associated with fraud. The Warsaw Police Department has issued outstanding warrants for her arrest and extradition. Her current location is under investigation.

Jalen Jamal Coleman, 19, is currently being held in Michigan, where he faces charges related to similar criminal activity. The Warsaw Police Department has issued outstanding warrants for his extradition to North Carolina. Coleman was previously identified in connection with a similar fraud investigation in Columbia, South Carolina.

They would have gotten away with it had they not been greedy.

It is believed that these three individuals, along with other unidentified accomplices, have been participating in similar criminal schemes for at least two years across approximately 10 states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Delaware, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Indiana.

On June 20–21, 2025, the suspects targeted numerous retail establishments in Onslow and Duplin Counties, including Sheetz and Best Mart in Warsaw, where they successfully activated and fled with high-value prepaid cards and lottery tickets after coaxing the clerks into activating them before rendering successful payment. In several instances, they escaped with over $5,000 in merchandise per incident.

This is an ongoing, multi-jurisdictional investigation involving local and state and federal law enforcement partners, including the North Carolina SBI, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Waterford Police Department (Michigan), West Chicago Police Department (Illinois), U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, and agencies across multiple other states.

The suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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