The Lottery and Its Critics

The drawing of lots to determine ownership or other rights is an ancient practice. It was used by the Greeks and Romans, as well as in medieval Europe. It was a popular way to finance public projects, including roads, libraries, churches, canals, colleges, and bridges. Lotteries were also used in colonial America to fund private and public ventures, including towns, wars, and college scholarships. Benjamin Franklin held a lottery in 1776 to raise funds for cannons to defend Philadelphia against the British.

Today, state governments hold a monopoly on running a lottery, and most of the states have set aside their profits to use for educational purposes. The success of a lottery depends on the degree to which it can be seen as benefiting a specific public good and appealing to a broad base of potential participants. Unlike other gambling activities, which appeal to a wide variety of people by promoting irrational behavior, the lottery is designed to make it seem like a reasonable decision for those who play.

The prevailing message is that the experience of purchasing and playing the lottery is fun. And that message has been successful in gaining and holding broad public support. But critics have focused on other features of the lottery operation, such as its alleged regressive impact on lower-income populations.