Power Ball is not gambling. Gambling requires a reasonable expectation of a return, which these new regressive taxes (sorry, I meant to say lotteries) provide. An economist whose name I can't remember put the Power Ball tax in perspective for me like this: Think of yourself in an 80,000 seat stadium and they are giving away a car to one lucky seat holder. As one out of 80,000 you don't have much of an expectation of winning, do you? Now think of yourself in one of 3,650 stadiums and the prize is one car for all 3,650 stadiums. Not what I'd consider a winning proposition. I saw a gentleman last week buying $50.00 worth of Power Ball quick picks at Winn Dixie. The politicians must love this guy, as he basically voluntarily gave them $50.00.
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