Lottery is a form of gambling wherein multiple people pay a small fee to have a chance at winning a huge sum of money, often running into millions or even billions. Unlike other forms of gambling, Lottery is typically organized and run by state or federal governments. It’s a big business that draws people from all walks of life into its trap, and there are some clear-eyed gamblers who know the odds. Others, however, are not so lucky — they’re stuck in a cycle of covetousness and hope that winning the lottery will solve their problems.
The truth is that money won from Lottery cannot solve any real problems, and the chances of winning are very low. In fact, it’s a form of “covetousness,” which God forbids (Exodus 20:17; see also Ecclesiastes 5:10). Those who win the Lottery are simply chasing a fantasy that they will become rich and be rid of their troubles. This is an age-old lie that’s exacerbated by a neoliberal culture that promotes competition and individualism at the expense of community and collective action.
Despite this, most states continue to organize Lotteries in the belief that they are necessary for raising revenue. But this rationalization ignores the fact that Lotteries are actually a regressive tax that steals from poorer citizens while delivering a very limited return to the state.