The Truth About the Lottery

The lottery is a form of gambling in which people pay for tickets, then hope to win prizes by matching numbers that are randomly spit out by machines. The lottery has been around for centuries, and it is now a major part of many countries’ economies. Some people are able to win substantial sums of money, and others can win free services or items that would otherwise be very expensive.

In the past, lotteries were primarily seen as a way to raise funds for public purposes without raising taxes. These public projects included schools, roads, canals, and bridges. Lotteries also played a significant role in colonial America, and Benjamin Franklin ran one to raise money for cannons for the city’s defense against French marauders.

Lottery advertising typically focuses on how easy it will be to solve problems and live in comfort if you win the lottery. This message is especially powerful in times of economic stress, when people are fearful that their state governments might increase taxes or cut public services. But it is false, and it obscures the fact that lottery proceeds are a regressive source of revenue.

Gamblers, including lottery players, often covet money and the things that it can buy. But the Bible forbids coveting: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, his wife, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that is his.” (Exodus 20:17) Rather than spend their money on lottery tickets, people could use it to build savings accounts and pay down credit card debt.