24 Apr Reader views on Chase-the-Ace: Part 1

After watching an astonishingly long lineup for Chase-the-Ace at a Sydney mall Saturday, I offered the following conclusion.

Unlike Atlantic Lotto’s slot machines, Chase-the-Ace won’t drive anyone to addiction, financial ruin, or suicide.

Still, it was sobering to see so many of my fellow Capers willing to endure such a humiliating lineup for such an extreme long shot chance at instant wealth. I don’t want to be a spoilsport, but the whole thing felt sad.

Contrarian’s Cape Breton readers are sharply divided on both points: whether it’s harmful, and whether it’s sad. Today, we’ll hear from readers think it’s mostly harmless fun.

Several commenters noted that lineups at the other eight ticket outlets were much shorter, but many people apparently prefer the allegedly festive atmosphere of the mall’s Brobdingnagian queue.

[T]his, whatever it is, has turned into a social outing. The lines aren’t so much a waste of time as something else—meeting people, talking, dreaming about what you’d do if you won, people watching, etc.

It was actually kind of fun. I hadn’t gone to the mall before because of the crowds, but a friend convinced me to go and have a bite to eat afterwards. So we chatted all the way along the line, I think the main discussion was about fashion memories of the 70s and 80s. Time flew by.

A Sydney lawyer who took in Chase-the-Ace at the Horizon Achievment Centre, one of the lottery’s beneficiaries, wrote:

I sat with two of my sisters and with several friends, played card games, had my fortune read, ate delicious food prepared by the staff of the Horizon Achievement Centre, had a beer, and generally was not bored. I spent money at at least four retail establishments en route and generally felt as though I contributed to a good cause…

Friends who lined up at the Mall reported having a great time talking to complete strangers and carrying on. I also noted that the folks at the Legion were singing along to The Island, etc., square dancing, and also having fun.

Tomorrow: the dark side.