[SamAdams76]

I agree with what you say in #39 and will go further to say that if not for the state lottery, the poor people will find something else to blow their money on. That's why they are poor people. But you are missing my argument. My argument isn't anti-gambling. There could be a casino on every street corner for all I care. I just don't think the proper role of government is to run a gambling operation. Especially when making it illegal for everybody else (as Massachusetts does).

[RKV]

Agreed, the state should not profit from vice - like getting revenue from booze or tobacco.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"I just don't think the proper role of government is to run a gambling operation. Especially when making it illegal for everybody else (as Massachusetts does)."

I can agree with that point. Here in Georgia, we have lotto but no casinos. Georgians by the thousands drive to Mississippi or North Carolina, with their money, and spend it in casinos. I don't see the difference between the two and wished we had a casino here.

As far as government sponsored gambling goes, at least Georgia puts a percetage of lotto proceeds into improving schools and scholarships. Lotto money paid for my education so I don't mind dropping a dollar every now and then.

Of course, this fact is left out of the numerous"Lotto exploits the poor" articles I read in the local papers.

All this gambling talk reminds me, I gotta call my bookie before the 11 am games come on.

[Nick Thimmesch]

You bet.

[Fred Mertz]

State lotteries, by contrast, give back only 50 percent of the money wagered on them.

With the feds taking about 50% of the 50 percent, I figure the take-home is about 25%, if that. Am I correct Sam?

Like you, I despise state run lotteries. When I worked in DC I was the closest thing to a white person in line to buy two dollars worth on Fridays.

[steelwheels]

people will find something else to blow their money on. That's why they are poor people

Here are a few more reasons Sam.... sickness, death, injuries, accidents, corrupt employers, corrupt insurance companys, bad investments, layoffs, injustice, wars, victim of crime, divorce, corrupt judges, corrupt lawyers, victim of circumstance... do I need to go on?