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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