Description
Book SynopsisIn a critical overview of lotteries in the US, this work documents who really profits from lotteries and who really loses.
Table of ContentsThe rise of lottomania - discusses the strong opposition to lotteries in the US in the 1960s and 1970s and outlines the economic and social changes that led to a reversal of this sentiment; lotteries in US history - a history of lotteries, from their appearance in 16th century Europe to their use as a means to fund colonialism and provide capital in the United States until 1900. Chronicles the political-economic events of the 20th century that brought the return of state lotteries; lotteries as questionable state policy - examines the economic, moral, and social costs of state reliance on lotteries to generate public revenues; state lotteries and the legitimation of inequality - highlights the ideology reinforced by state marketing campaigns; from promoting public belief in magic and supernatural forces by exhorting people to bet their "lucky numbers" to providing those in economic distress with illusory plans of action; a lotto obstacles to change - summary of key points.
