About Lottery
In the immediate post-World War II period, states had more money to spend on services, and voters wanted those state-provided services without especially onerous taxes on the middle class and working classes. So they adopted a new revenue source – the lottery. The principal argument used in promoting the lottery was that it would be a painless source of state revenue, with players voluntarily spending their money (and thus not being taxed) for the public good.
While a lot of people like to play the Lottery for that very reason, the fact is that the odds of winning are very, very long. But even more important is the question of whether this function – promoting gambling – should be performed by government. And what about the effects on lower-income groups and compulsive gamblers?
A lottery is a process of drawing numbers to determine a prize. Some lotteries allow players to choose their own numbers, but most offer a quick pick option, where the computer selects a set of random numbers for them. Using this strategy can improve your chances of winning. When choosing your own numbers, avoid picking a sequence of numbers that are close together, such as your birthday or home address. Instead, use a random selection of numbers that have no sentimental value.
As a result, many states have grown to be heavily dependent on lottery revenues. This is a classic case of the development of a piecemeal public policy, with decisions made by local convenience store operators; suppliers of products or services to the lottery (often heavy contributors to state political campaigns); teachers, who in some states have their Lottery revenues earmarked; and state legislators themselves, who quickly get accustomed to the extra money they receive from the Lottery.