Regarding lotteries, yes, with one difference, at least based on my personal experience: where I'm from state lotteries have to distribute all their gains to local charities, associations, sport clubs, etc. In fact they are the largest supporter of small associations. Because of this you don't have the risk of making the few people managing the lottery rich while everybody becomes poorer, it's more a way to gamble small amount of money and feel that you support local stuff. It's not for me but that doesn't sound too bad to be honest.

I don't know about the US.