the sad thing is, most lottery money is spent by those who can least afford to lose it.

I have bought an occasional dollar ticket...but I KNOW that spending $20 or more a week is not going to significantly affect my chances. The states DO play fast & loose with some of the profits, and there is the constant threat of corruption in the companies hired to run it.

It IS possible to get some extra aid for schools...etc..in this way, but an increase in graduated taxes woud be saner and fairer.