A Gallup poll in 1999 found that fewer Americans are purchasing lottery tickets than were players in the mid-1990s. This has prompted many states to look to innovative ways to increase lottery revenues, such as expanding ticket sales online and restructuring prize structure. Many states also seek to improve their promotional efforts. The question is: Are state lotteries a good idea? The answer depends on your specific circumstances, but here are some things to consider when considering the future of your state lottery.
For one thing, state lotteries are a form of hidden taxation. The lottery eats up 9 percent of take home income for households earning less than $13,000 per year. In addition to absorbing nine percent of take home income, state lotteries suck $50 billion in revenue from local businesses. State-sponsored ads help to encourage lottery players. In reality, most lottery winners never win the big prize. But the lottery industry continues to grow.
State lotteries are games of chance run by the state government. They allow players to buy a chance to win a prize in exchange for something of lesser value. Most state lotteries award large cash prizes for a small amount of money. The amount of money paid out in state lottery games is far greater than the number of people who play the games, which is a key reason for their success. The sponsoring state is guaranteed to make a profit with the lottery.