How did you respond? Do you still play or did you quit?

I only just started playing scratchers a few weeks ago (right around the same time the Power Ball got to $1B) as a bit of a distraction from my demanding job that I’m also kind of desperate to leave. I don’t know anyone who gambles among my family or friends, so admittedly I felt ashamed or embarrassed buying lotto tickets and scratchers. I haven’t told anyone I’ve been playing and I usually manage to overcome my internal shame by telling myself that nobody actually cares and there are millions of people who play. Why should I feel any different?

I usually buy on Friday nights to celebrate making it through the week. Tonight I stopped by a 7-11 to grab some scratchers (I bought ten $2 scratchers) and finally had that sobering moment that killed every bit of joy: “You’re too pretty to be gambling!” The clerk said it and I instantly felt my internal shame become real. I think he was trying to flirt but it completely killed my vibe. I played it off and said “oh I’m just looking for ways to pay off my student loans haha” (which is true). But having been publicly judged made me want to crawl into a hole and hide and never play again.