So one thing I've been thinking about, is how to incentivize people to play at the start of the draw (as opposed the last couple of blocks).
One ideas I've had:
a) The winner gets the total amount sent to the lotto, plus X of the sponsored amount. X is dependent on the block you buy your lottery tickets, and starts off at 100% and trends towards 50% by the end of the draw? So the earlier your buy in, the higher +EV it is (but the less known the EV) is. The later you play, the lower the EV is but the more known it is. (But regardless of when you play, it's still +EV)
b) The winner is paid 50% in BTC and 50% in next-draws lottery tickets. This would make the pot start with a nice healthy amount right from the start, hopefully attracting more players. Players would be eligible to win multiple times in a row of course. (Although it seems a little shitty to me, to pay lottery winners in lottery tickets)
Or maybe I'm over thinking it, and last-minute play isn't a problem? I just have this impression that the bigger the pot, the more attractive it is for most lottery-ticket buyers to participate.
What are your thoughts?
Im guessing option 1 is better since this will drive more people to buy the ticket faster and the pot will goes higher. As long as it is still EV+ I think the first idea is still a good option even though someone will buy in the last minute. As for option 2, Its a bad idea imo