Regardless of the odds of any particular game of chance, the lottery "steals" most heavily from those who can least afford it. It is, indeed, a regressive tax on those who voluntarily participate. Politicians are aware of this statistic but care only about the revenue generated to cover their profligate spending. Targeting part of the revenue for any particular endeavor (education) or demographic group (elderly) is just part of the scam. Government acts as an agent for/of the people and, as such, should not be permitted to pursue any activity that an individual citizen is forbidden to pursue. Therefore, as a Libertarian, I am opposed to any activity that government is involved in unless individuals are also free to participate in it. And by participate, I mean run/manage/own a lottery, not just purchasing a ticket. In my home state of PA, the state government owns and operates "state stores" for wine and liquor and only permits "outsiders" to partake in a very limited and very controlled fashion - COMPLETE HYPOCRISY, which is what one should always expect from government. After all, they have the big guns!
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