The Lottery is a Major Source of Public Funding

In America, state lotteries are a major source of public funding. In 2006, they brought in $17.1 billion. The proceeds are devoted to a variety of purposes, including education, public works, and welfare.

The lottery has a long history in Europe and the United States, going back to ancient times. Roman emperors used lotteries to give away property and slaves, while Low Country towns held public lotteries to raise money for town fortifications and poor relief. Lotteries became popular in the United States as a way to raise taxes without raising taxes. Voters want governments to spend more, while politicians look at lotteries as a painless way to get tax dollars for free.

Shirley Jackson’s short story, The Lottery, takes place in a rural village where tradition and custom are dominant. The villagers have forgotten why they hold the lottery, but they continue it out of habit. The lottery involves drawing a piece of paper that will determine one family member to be stoned to death. The man of each household selects a ticket, and the event is held on the same day every year. Old Man Warner, who runs the lottery, is a conservative figure who defends the tradition by arguing that human sacrifice will improve the crop.

The Lottery is a powerful tale about how people can become blind to their own hypocrisies. While the lottery may be good for states, whose coffers swell with both ticket sales and winnings, it can also hurt certain groups, such as the poor and those with gambling addictions. Because lotteries are run as businesses with a focus on maximizing revenues, advertising necessarily focuses on persuading people to spend their money on tickets.