» Home » Money
Lotteries Have A Negative Impact On Society
Playing the lottery is the first step towards more harmful gambling
 skywalker  17 Mar 2008 20:39
                           (What's this?)  Add to Firefox  RSS
Lotteries are like Robin Hood in reverse. They steal from the poor and give to the rich. It tends to be the poorest people in society who participate in lotteries. They desperately hope that one random stroke of good fortune can lift them out of their dire economic circumstances. Of course, for nearly all of them, that doesn't happen and the money they spend on the lottery is money down the drain.

But where does the lottery money go? It goes to fund arts projects, opera houses, poetry recitals and so forth - all middle class pursuits. So the lottery basically leeches money from the working class and doles it out to finance middle class leisure interests.
 
 Hidell  17 Mar 2008 20:52
 Add a Comment
 
I do not believe that lottery games have a negative impact on out society; perhaps on an individual level. I look at lottery games as having a positive impact on our society because it is one of the few things out there that work on out moral.
 
 MistKnight  21 Sep 2009 06:04
 Add a Comment
 
 
I play but not often and no one is stupid enough to waste ALL of their money
 
 14940820  10 Mar 2009 02:22
 1 Comment
 
 I know one who does. There are time I take a risk and put all money down. I often do not win, but it is a chance I take.
by  MistKnight
 21 Sep 2009 05:41
Comment
  
Comment
  
 
I disagree. Everyone needs something to believe in.
 
 jaykaywy  04 Mar 2009 03:57
 Add a Comment
 
 
Most people who participate in lottos do not bear the typical characteristics of avid gamblers. Lottos, after all, are usually drawn once or twice a week and this structure means that participants are essentially 'forced' to wait out the results and be patient. This is in stark contrast to slot machines and other forms of casino gambling, which offer instant gratification; something that lotteries can never provide.

Many people who regularly participate in lotteries find that in the long-run, they either break even, or lose only very small amounts of money. It is not uncommon, for example, to guess three out of six numbers drawn and be awarded $10. If you pay $2 per draw and participate in a weekly lottery, then you will still break even, regardless of whether or not you lose the next five draws. The only time when lotteries have proven dangerous, is when people win the grand prize and rapidly become greedy and unrealistic, causing them to invest huge amounts in the purchase of subsequent tickets, or spend their funds in an irresponsible manner.
 
 mackenzie  24 Mar 2008 15:09
 3 Comments
 
 Sorry to comment on everything you write mate.
I think we agree on this one though. Hurrah.
Apart from - to get 3 out of 6 numbers is 50-1 for a 9-1 payout. Worse odds than any form of gambling, even fruit machines. That is in the UK anyway. We have 49 numbers.
by  StBalders
 24 Mar 2008 15:35
Comment
  
Comment
  
Comment
  
Comment
  
 
Yes it has an impulsive influence on people
 
 racerboy  21 Mar 2008 01:52
 Add a Comment
 
 
No, i will not agree with this gateway effect of leading to heavier gambling.

I love a gamble, I always have I feel it is something I was born with in a way. I do not classify myself as an addict as I stick to the golden rule of never betting more than I can afford to lose. It is more of a hobby. If you want to gamble you should be able to. If someone has the personality that leads them to gambling they will have been betting on ants crawling across the floor or which raindrop falls down the window first. Anything you could stake a wager on, from an early age. I ran books on sports at school.

Anyone who knows about it knows that the lottery doesn't fulfil the buzzes that a gambling addict seeks. It is more of a raffle than gambling. The odds are so spectacularly against you I never play it. If someone is stupid enough to chase their losses on the lottery (a true sign of an addicted gambler) they are that dumb they would most likely only spend their money on magic beans anyway.
 
 StBalders  20 Mar 2008 22:12
 Add a Comment
 
 
I live in Nevada, the most notorious state for gambling.
The gaming industry constantly lobbies against the institution of a state lottery. This is despite that it would enrich the public coffers -- and, God knows, Nevada needs increased schools funding. So here, the opponents of a state lottery are not concerned with the morality of gambling.
Many Nevadans cross the state line to buy California lottery tickets. When the latter was put in place, naysayers bemoaned its effect on morality and the poor, who are looking for ways to get rich quick. None of that came to pass, and California’s schools benefit greatly from lottery ticket sales.
Another big scare for the Nevada gaming consortium is the proliferation of Indian gambling casinos in California. The tribes benefit greatly from the slot machine income, but it has created many social problems, too, and some tribal elders now decry the trend.
 
 chispa  20 Mar 2008 19:34
 Add a Comment
 
 
Yes, they can be causes of compulsive gambling. However, much of the money from lotteries is given to schools, which helps boost students' education, which leads to a better economy and better opportunities.
 
 TyWhyHiTy  18 Mar 2008 01:49
 Add a Comment
 
Sign In / Sign Up
 For and Against Recent Activity
Related Debates
Everyone Here Has "Been Selected To Receive A Free Apple Iphone." This Must Be True Because They Said...
Money Is Everything In Today's Life
Wall St. Is Holding A Gun At The American Congress. At Least Jessie James Had The Decency To Wear A Mask....
The Credit Crunch Could Be Solved Easily.
All Kids Should Be Provided With An Allowance
Men And Women Are Not Paid The Same
It Is Critical For Married Women To Establish Credit In Their Own Names.
They Should Stop Putting President's Pictures On Money In The US
People Should Have To Pay Less For Sheet Music.
There Is No Magic Sales Pitch, Just A Compelling Argument And An Audience Either Receptive Or Not Receptiv...
New Debates
Biblical Views Regarding Women Are Utterly Outdated And Should Be Ignored.
Planned Parenthood Is A Bad Thought
The Single Most Effective Action America Could Take To Reduce The Problem With Illegal Immigration Would...
Grey Is The Best Fashion-Color:
You Always Have A Choice
Cocks Are Better Than Hens!
America Will Not Have The Grandeur That Rome Once Had.
An Oral B Electric Toothbrush Is Better Than An Ordinary Hand Powered Model.
We Can't Allow Texas To Rewrite History.
The Most Famous Religious Texts In Human History Were Not Written Directly By God