The strange collection of 250,000 used lottery scratch-off cards
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Lotologists collect scratch-off lottery tickets, both used and unused. Every year they come together from around the world for the “Lottovention” in Northeast Philadelphia.
In 2006 a report claimed that 73-year-old retired U.S. Navy diver Dennis Morse had one of the world’s largest lotology collections. It included over 250,000 losing scratch-off tickets.
In the unique world of collecting discarded scratch-off lottery tickets, Dennis Morse stands out with his impressive collection.
Morse, who died in 2021, had amassed over 250,000 lottery tickets, with about 30,000 of these being unique.
This collection, cultivated out of a lifelong habit of collecting various items, showcases Morse's dedication to this unusual hobby.
His interest in lottery tickets is not about the monetary value but the thrill of collecting and the stories each ticket holds.
Morse's collection is part of a larger community of "lotologists," individuals who share a passion for collecting lottery tickets from different states and countries.
This community, though niche, has collectors like Morse who spend significant time organizing, trading, and discussing their collections.
The Global Lottery Collector's Society, to which Morse belongs, is a vibrant community where collectors trade tickets, share stories, and even attend annual gatherings like the "Lotovention."
The society highlights the non-monetary value of scratch-off tickets, emphasizing their aesthetic appeal and the joy of collecting.
The society's members are responsible for collecting new tickets from their respective regions, contributing to a collective database that tracks new and old lottery tickets worldwide.
For those interested in the broader scope of lottery ticket collecting and the personal stories of collectors like Dennis Morse, the Global Lottery Collector's Society could offer fascinating insights into this unique hobby.
