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In colonial America, lottery games were a common way to finance public works. They helped build roads, canals, churches, and colleges. They also provided money for militias and fortifications. They played a major role in financing the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812.

Today, state lotteries are popular, especially among poorer people who see them as a chance to escape their bleak economic circumstances. They are a “mechanism of the American dream,” writes Jonathan Cohen, author of For a Dollar and a Dream: State Lotteries in Modern America. “But what they really do is continually take money from people who want to try and make a living, put it into a system where the odds are really terrible against them, and then tell them that they’re doing good for their society, helping children, or whatever.”

But in fact, lotteries don’t just prey on the poor, they damage them. They tap scant resources, breed short-lived excitement and despondency, and can undermine confidence in the ability to succeed in life. And when they are state-owned, as in New South Wales, where they began selling tickets as early as 1849, their effect is multiplied.

The New York Times editorial argues that the state’s lottery is “not only unjust, but cruel and inhuman.” It claims that “lottery proceeds aren’t just money for the government; they’re also money for people who can’t afford to play the game.” The editorial says this is a violation of the human rights of the poor, especially those living in communities with high poverty rates. It’s the same argument that was used against the Poll Tax, but what’s changed is the rhetoric – from a call for equality to a call for justice.

The Official Lottery App is the most convenient way to play the PA Lottery on your mobile device. You can check your ticket’s barcode, purchase select Pennsylvania Lottery games and find a retailer. You can also play our daily Lottery games and scratch-offs. Remember to always play responsibly and never give your personal information to anyone who calls or emails you saying you’ve won the lottery. For more consumer protection tips, visit the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection website.