The Dos and Don’ts of Winning the Lottery

Hitting the jackpot can have serious consequences.

Multi-million-dollar Lottery Scam Artists Busted in Jamaica - Tommy Lee Sparta, a Jamaican dancehall deejay, and four others have been arrested and charged in a multi-million-dollar lottery scam. Police found names and addresses of U.S. citizens in a home in Kingston where the group ran the scam. Sparta has been granted bail for $400,000.(Photo: Jo Yong-Hak /Landov)
/content/dam/betcom/images/2012/03/National-03-16-03-31/033012-national-money-monday-lottery-winner.jpg
Don't Go Crazy With Big Purchases - Financial experts estimate that 70 percent of all lottery winners will squander their winnings in a few short years, so be mindful of how those fancy vacations, lavish gifts and multi-million dollar homes will pan out in the long run. (Photo: Jean-Bernard Carillet/ Getty)Evelyn Adams - Evelyn Adams won the New Jersey lottery in 1985 and 1986, for a total winnings of $5.4 million. However, she reportedly blew all her cash gambling in Atlantic City and today lives in a trailer park. (Photo: Wikimedia)

Next Gallery

Celebrity Birthdays: Sherri Shepherd Celebrates!

24 Photos

1 / 11

More Money, More Problems - Some experts say you are 50 times more likely to get struck by lightning than to win the lottery in your lifetime, but that isn't discouraging people around the country from playing for the $550 million Powerball jackpot. As history has shown us, however, winning may not change your life for the better if you don't have a plan to safeguard your fortune. — Britt Middleton and BET.com Staff (Photo: Jo Yong-Hak /Landov)

ADVERTISEMENT