Social Implications of Lottery
Lottery is a game whereby prizes are awarded by chance and people can play for a small sum of money. This activity has gained popularity worldwide and many states have made it a legal activity in their jurisdictions. It is also a common form of gambling and is an important source of revenue for state governments. However, it is a game that can have negative impacts on society, especially among the poorer communities. This article aims to examine the social implications of lottery and analyze its role in society.
The term ‘lottery’ is derived from the Dutch word lot, which means “fate” or “chance”. The first state-sponsored lottery was held in 1569. The modern-day lottery is a thriving industry in the United States, contributing billions to state coffers each year. A large percentage of the proceeds is used to cover the costs of organizing and promoting the lottery, while the remaining amount is distributed to winners.
It is worth noting that a significant number of the participants in the lottery are not aware that they are being compensated for their participation, so it is difficult to determine whether knowledge acts as an incentive. It is also possible that the lottery erodes morals by making the game more acceptable, and in this way, it can become an instrument of corruption.
It is interesting to note that the lottery was used in the past to finance many public projects, such as church buildings and even some of the oldest universities. Benjamin Franklin, for example, sponsored a lottery to raise funds for cannons that would defend Philadelphia against the British in 1776.