The lottery victimizes the poor. A California study revealed that 40 percent of lottery players are unemployed. In Maryland, the poorest 1/3 of the population buys 60 percent of the daily number tickets than those who make $75,000 or more per year. Economic professor and lottery expert, Dr. Robert Goodman says that after three to five years, many people stop playing the lottery because they couldn’t afford it. The lottery exploits persons of all ages. In Texas, the commission on alcohol and drug abuse found that the introduction of a state lottery increased the number of adults who gambled by 40 percent. Meaning senior citizens are the fastest growing group of problem gamblers. “In 1997 the state of Minnesota saw an increase of 200 percent in problem gambling among seniors. According to a 1995 survey in Florida 72 percent of the senior citizen problem gamblers there said the source of their problems was the lottery” (saneok.org) this quote explains exactly how most people believe that the lottery will solve their problems. Then once the lottery doesn’t work, that is when drug and alcohol use comes into play.

State sponsored lotteries diminish local and state tax. According to a 2000 study by Arkansas advocates for children and families, the average taxpayer spends about 5.7 percent of their income on state and local sales taxes. At this rate the estimated 169 million dollars spent on lottery sales will result in the loss of about 9.6 million dollars in state and local sales tax revenue. “Convenience stores have reported that selling lottery tickets hurt their business due to: employee time required selling tickets, subsequent shoplifting increase because of inattentiveness by employees occupied with lottery sales, and lost sales due to longer lives resulting from lottery customers.” (arragopwing.com) This quote means that convenient stores have realized that the lottery has brought their business down. They also realized that their employees have been spending too much time on lottery customers rather than customers who come to buy food and that have resulted in theft.

The benefits and cost associated with the economic factors are often reported in terms of community impacts. This means that all the money that is spent on the lottery affects the community. “The news reports say that people in receipt of benefits are more likely to play scratch cards and draw based games than those not on benefits. People who earn less than $20,000 a year spend an average of $55.39 a year on scratch cards, compared with the national average of $44.18” (okklesla.co.uk). This quote means that the lottery attracts the poor. The people that make a little amount of money a year are more likely to gamble. The lottery encourages people to gamble money that would otherwise be spent at pre-existing businesses. “In California, one entire chain of grocery stores were losing one dollar in food sales for every one dollar in lottery tickets sold.” (saneok.org) This quote means that customers stopped coming to the store to buy groceries but instead buy lottery tickets. Stores then realized that they were decreasing in money.

 

“the lottery is essentially unstable and ineffective method of raising public revenue”-Ginny Blankenship. To interpret Blankenship’s quote, I would say he means you cannot depend on the lottery, it is like an unstable yearly thing to help the government. State run lotteries are the most popular form of commercial gambling in the U.S. The lottery presents a plausible advertisement by saying quotes such as “you have up to ten chances to win!” “Pennsylvania Lottery- Benefits older Pennsylvanians every day” and “keep on scratchin’”. But you would have to be a very solicitous person because there are millions of people hoping to win as well. Advertisements would usually be seen downtown, shopping centers and on public transportation because that is where people spend the most money."In most recent national study, completed in 1988 by NORC (National Opinion Research Council) under contract with the national gambling impact study commission, reveals that overall, problem and compulsive gamblers in the United States cost for productivity reductions, social services, and credit losses.”(gamblinghelp.org) This study by the NORC proves my main point because in 2003, the total consumers spending on lotteries were nearly $45 billion dollars. People suffered from: addictions to the lottery and drugs. They suffered from drug addictions because knowing that you may have lost a lot because of the lottery it causes stress. People would get addicted to the lottery because some people take out loans to continue playing the lottery others may think that if they keep trying they’ll get it but at the end of the day you’re spend more money on the lottery than you would get by gambling.

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celebrities

Floyd Mayweather isn’t the only celebrity with a gambling problem; Charles Barkley claims that his gambling problem has cost him $10 million. Former NBA star and current TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley reveled his own struggles with gambling in an interview with ESPN. Barkley said he lost “probably $10 million…it is a problem for me.” Charles Barkley admits that just because you have millions of dollars doesn’t I've you the right to gamble all the time. It can ruin anyone’s life. “Do I have a gambling problem? It’s just a stupid habit that I've got to get under control” (Barkley, sports.espn.go.com) people say that the first step to overcoming a problem is admitting that you have a problem and that’s exactly what Barkley did. He admitted that he has a gambling problem.

suffering from gambling

The families of problem gamblers suffer greatly and experience physical and psychological abuse, as well as harassment and vehement comments from bill collectors and creditors. “Problem gambling can strain your relationship, interfere with responsibilities at home and work, and lead to financial catastrophe. It may even lead you to do things you never thought possible.” (helpguide.org) this quote means you may start stealing money to gamble or taking money meant for your children. Also, this means that gambling can interfere with many things. How are families affected? Money Problems, the most common problem is the loss of money. Savings, property or belongings may suddenly be lost. This kind of money crisis makes the family feel scared, angry and betrayed.

get rich quick scheme

people are looking for a get rich quick scheme rather than inverting. The lottery is based on instant gratification. most people have placed their future in the hands of fate and are waiting for that glorious day when it will all come through for you, but you may NEVER get that break. in any stateand probably any store that sells Powerball tickets, cases of compulsive gambling will abound. tales of customers spending $100, $200, and even $500 on piwerball tickets were frighteningly common. "one waiter from New York claimed to have spent $3,000 in powerball tickets in Greenwich, Connecticut" ( tech.mit.edu ) this quote means that some people can see that they have a problem with the lottery, but they just dont care. they thinkit doesnt matter just because they spent many years playing but in actuality, it does matter.

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The lottery presents a plausible advertisement by saying quotes such as "you have up to ten chances to win", "Pennsylvania Lottery- Benefits Pennsylvanias everyday", and "keep on scratchin'". But you would have to be a very solicitous person because there are millions of people hoping to win as well. Advertisements would usually be seen downtown, shopping centers, and on public transportation because  that is where people spend the most money.http://amberalonzo.blogspot.com/2007/06/effects-of-winning-lottery.html

the lottery is prodigal

the lottery is prodigal because you are relinquishing hard earned money on things that could of been used for useful things such as debts, bills, student loans, recompensing debts, or childcare. most people try their hardest everyday to win the lottery to try and pay off debts, bills and other things of that nature instead of saving money. you shound not depend on the lottery. Researchers say you have a better chance of getting into a car accident, plane accident, or struck by lightning, than to win the lottery.http://www.saneok.org/files/Facts&Stats/LottoFacts.pdf

history

In the 1840s the lottery was banned until the laws were changed. the lottery started in Chicago, IL in the 1930s but it came into the senate in 1971 meaning people in Chicago were gambling illegally for all those years! now the lottery is global. "studies have concluded that two out of the three compulsive gamblers commit illegal acts in order to pay gambling debts or to continue gambling" ( gamblinghelp.org )http://www.totalbankruptcy.com/debtress/proof-that-the-lottery-wont-solve-your-financial-woes/

bankruptcy

Most people experience bankruptcy by spending a plethora amount of money. By spending too much money on the lottery can either put you in debt or can cause you to go bankrupt. “In the study, which looked at 35,000 people who won between $600 and $150,000 dollars in the lottery, researchers found that the amount of money a person won had no effect on their chances or bankruptcy.” (totalbankruptcy.com) In other words, people who actually win a large amount still would need bankruptcy protection just as people who spend their money still trying to win. Also lottery players will experience bankruptcy because they’re spending money that was supposed to pay off other things, so not only are you in debt but your broke. http://www.totalbankruptcy.com/debtress/proof-that-the-lottery-wont-solve-your-financial-woes/

struggling with the lottery

People who claim that they are struggling to keep a home would usually spend money on the lottery trying to get money. The lottery is prodigal because you are relinquishing hard earned money that could have been used for bills, student loans, recompensing debts, or child care. By each person spending hundreds of dollars on the lottery three things may happen: bankruptcy, the national economy will be affected, and community impacts. Playing the lottery is extremely addictive, dangerous and destructive to some people. Many people play the lottery to pay their mortgage. When someone tries to make enough money to pay bills, that’s when gambling doesn’t work. http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/gambling.html

the lottery and poverty

Why do people in poverty spend their disposable income on the lottery instead of bettering their life? Why does the lottery mainly attract the lower and middle class? These are the questions that the people who think badly o the lottery would ask. Imagine spending around fifty and sixty dollars a day desperately trying to be a multimillionaire, but in all actuality you’re just winning half of your money back. So let’s say you spend fifty dollars a day on the lottery, that’s 350 dollars a week or 1400 dollars a month. Can you really afford it knowing you have bills, school, and/or a family to take care of? Can you picture going bankrupt because you’ve wasted your life’s saving on a gamble? Now think about how you would be affecting your loved ones. Do you think you can see them in that kind of pain because of you poor made decisions? These are the questions that you should ask yourself before you decide to wait in that line and basically give your life away. Instead of spending approximately 1400 a month on lottery tickets you could open a savings account and recompense debt or student loans, provide for children’s funds and take care of your family. The lottery is a gamble and that is what lower and middle class citizens are addicted to; spending money trying to make money.http://www.arragopwing.com/lotteryposition.html