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The Inquiry: What's the point of Lotteries?

National lotteries exist all over the world 鈥 even the mountain kingdom of Bhutan now has one. What are they for?

It is now hard to find a country that does not have a state sponsored lottery 鈥 even the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan recently adopted one. They have famously been called a 鈥渢ax for people who are bad at maths鈥 and make little economic sense for the individuals who play. Instead, lotteries allow governments to raise much needed revenue to be spent on 鈥榞ood causes.鈥 But there鈥檚 more to lotteries than powerballs and million dollar prizes. Should we embrace them as a way of making life more fair?

Presenter: Michael Blastland

(Photo: Lottery balls are seen in a box at a Liquor store in San Lorenzo, California. Credit: Getty Images)

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6 minutes

Last on

Wed 14 Sep 2016 15:23GMT

Broadcast

  • Wed 14 Sep 2016 15:23GMT