Why Is State Lottery Wrong

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The majority of American citizens have played the lottery. People today tend to believe that the lottery is just a harmless game to play at gas stations. However, the state lottery has evolved and grown into a necessary part of the economy. Some would argue that the lotteries vices outweigh its economic significance. The state lottery is ethically right and economically significant. The state lottery has diverged from its traditional origins: It is now a completely different animal from other forms of modern gambling. The lottery is defined as “A form of gambling in which chances to share in a distribution of prizes are sold”(Mikesell et al.). The state lotteries of today still conform to this definition, but have expanded as well. Different …show more content…
State lotteries incorporate different techniques to make such games as fair as mathematically possible. “As we have seen, the Lottery is random. It has no favourites, rich or poor may win, individuals or syndicates, experienced punters or first time buyers”(Giles). As Gordon Giles describes the lottery, it is random. The opposition claims that state lotteries are ultimately unfair because the games are rigged. However, this is also untrue because the likelihood of winning a lottery is fair among all persons participating. The only way mathematically, scientifically, and factually to increase one's chances is to buy more chances at winning. It is completely fair, and the only way for someone to win is to play. Therefore, state lotteries are ethical because they are statistically …show more content…
State lotteries have the potential to permanently change someone's life--or at least alter it slightly. Most people will never win the lottery; the small games of chance off a little bit of hope and excitement. However, those who do win the lottery are subject to extreme emotions(Brickman et al. 917-928). After winning a large sum of money winners claim to be almost euphoric for a short amount of time, but eventually wind back down to a neutral emotional state(Brickman et al. 917-928). This phenomenon is known as hedonic adaptation, and is essentially how our minds maintain a neutral, stable, and safe state after trauma and extreme events(Brickman et al. 917-928). Those who speak against state lotteries claim that large sums of money do not make people happier, instead they are worse off. Those who win the lottery are economically more sound then they were before, are emotionally stable, and have the opportunity to manage their new economic wealth. The lottery does not make people unhappy, or happy, the lottery gives people the opportunity to alter their life how they see fit. In conclusion, the lottery meets ethical standards, because it gives people new
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