When you play any lottery game, remember this: You really are just paying extra taxes.

Sure, sometimes, once in a while, someone wins some money. But the state always wins its money, plus it taxes the winnings of the winners. It takes its share twice.

We say this because the Mega Millions lottery game has a record jackpot. This morning it was $540 million. People have been eager to buy tickets because of all the buzz. And, yes, you can’t win if you don’t play.

That said, we hope people realize they are unlikely to win and are merely rendering unto Caesar, albeit in a manner that provides a bit of hope, then the dashing of that hope.