Lottery gives millions of people the chance to fantasize about winning a fortune at an average cost of just a few bucks. And it’s easy to see why, with its billboards and television commercials, the lottery is a big business. But it’s also hard to ignore the many ways that state-run lotteries are skewed and exploitative.
Lotteries have long been popular sources of revenue for states. They’re hailed by proponents as an alternative to taxes that won’t hurt the poor and middle class. And, it’s true that the proceeds of a lottery can be used for a variety of public purposes. But, what’s more troubling is the way state officials use these funds.
Most lotteries are run by government agencies or private companies licensed to operate them in exchange for a share of the revenues. But, the evolution of lottery policies in state after state has been a classic case of public policy made piecemeal and incrementally with little overall overview. Authority over lottery policies is split between legislative and executive branches, and the public’s general welfare is rarely taken into account.
The first lotteries to offer tickets with prizes in the form of money were recorded in the Low Countries in the 15th century. However, earlier lotteries had been held to raise funds for town walls and fortifications as well as for the poor. Many of these early lotteries rewarded ticket holders with goods like dinnerware and silverware, and the prize pool was often very unequal in size.