The State Lottery

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the negative effects of the state lottery on the youth. It claims that the lottery is often marketed in a positive light, even as a fundraiser for education. It also contends that it promotes gambling and has a negative economic impact.

From the Paper:

"Although at the outset most would believe that a lottery would have very little impact on a state's youth other than the benefit of billions in grants and funding, this is a grave mistake. It is extremely easy to gamble on a state sponsored lottery despite the many age restrictions and other precautions. In Massachusetts alone, 47% of 7th graders report to have bought a lottery ticket before, and four of ten adolescents say that they have purchased a lottery ticket (Reno, npg). Although statistics are sparing in Georgia, the examples of the grotesque effect of state sponsored lotteries are evident in many different capacities. In general however, using a state lottery to sponsor education is the worst mistake of "ends justifies the means logic". It teaches children that attaining wealth and success is not accomplished by working hard and the educational system, but rather by purchasing and chasing dreams through the lottery."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Reno, Ron. "A Lottery Education." Citizenlink. 18 June 2003. 31 Aug. 2006 <http://www.family.org/cforum/fosi/gambling/lottery/a0026386.cfm>.
• Georgia Lottery. 6 July 2006. State of Georgia. 31 Aug. 2006 <http://www.galottery.com/stc/education/index.jsp?focus=education>.
• Clotfelter, Charles T. Selling Hope: State Lotteries in America . Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1989.
• Campos, Paul. Big Ball of Trouble; Lotteries Give Back Little As They Prey Upon The Poor. Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , 2003.
• The National Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) online, 2002, <http://www.naspl.org/> (14 June 2003).

More papers on The State Lottery:

• Essay # 65608 : "State Lotteries"
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• Argumentative Essay # 103374 : "The Lottery: Funding Education"

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