Maybe put it in a card as well as a present?
Did you seriously get someone a lottery card for their birthday?

That's all I give people for gifts. Well that or money. At least they have a chance to buy something or win something

Not as a stand alone gift.
As a gag next to a normal present? Sure, why not ^^

I tend to get my friends a scratch card and put it in their card. Of course I buy other prezzies, but yeah, I know it ain't a lottery ticket, but it's close!!

My family has always gotten scratchies for relatives and stuff. If it's a close friend it's a bit cheap and thoughtless, but I think it's an alternative to giving $5/10 in a card, plus they're fun.

I said yes but not in the perspective of them winning a million dollars. More as in the act of actually giving the gift. To those that said no, I feel like they lost the definition of a gift somewhere along the lines of reading this question maybe?

i think it depends on who the friend is, and what number you're buying him...

I think no, because its like giving them absolutly nothing.