EVALUATION AND MODIFICATION OF MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT LOTTERIES

The majority of persons taking to games of chance and betting entertai n erroneous perceptions. This phenomenon would be more frequent with r egular players. We first compared strategies more frequently used by r egular and casual consumers of pseudo-active lotteries (Lotto 6/49). T his first study revealed that all subjects entertain false perceptions but that regular buyers are more affected. In the second study, we ve rified to what degree it was possible to modify erroneous concepts bas ed on a demonstration of the non-profitability of Lotto 6/49. The resu lts show that by providing accurate information on the negative probab ility of gains in games of chance or betting bring persons to revise t heir concepts and, eventually, modify their betting or playing habits. In conclusion, we discuss the practical and theoretical impacts of th ese findings on the psychology of games of chance and betting.