The real moral/ethical question is what the hell the state is doing in the business of lotteries. There is a place in the world for lotteries, regulated, probably, but we are now in a situation where poor people, wretchedly poor people who I see every day, are lining up to use what little extra money they have (and often not extra money) to buy lottery tickets, which are being advertised by governments and which they are using to supplement their revenues. This is a terrible scourge in many people's lives -- ruining families, etc. It is deeply regressive taxation at its worst -- it is with horror and shame that I point out that leftist governments have been as eager to get into this vicious business as any other kind of government. It is completely, utterly hateful: government drug peddling -- little trivial wins to keep you hooked, playing off people's dreams of hope and loss of control over their lives (which makes them susceptible to games of chance). Sophisticated advertising that you wouldn't allow for alcohol or cigarettes anymore. Vicious, horrible, criminal.
(Sorry, I'll stop now. It really makes me mad!!!!!).
yours, Peter T.