I guess to put things in perspective imagine living in a tin shack, illiterate with no hope other than winning the lottery. Then all of the sudden you have an opportunity for some big $. If the show flop's some people still have a shot at pulling their families out of poverty. If the show makes it I guess it’s a win-win.

At the bare minimum they will have the money for food and heat in their new house, or maybe a chance at starting something to pull their family out of the vicious cycle of poverty.