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A comment on State lotteries transfer wealth out of needy communities, investigation finds. Parent comment

Re:State lotteries transfer wealth out of needy communities,... by kqr on Tuesday July 12, 2022 @02:43AM (#32066429)
It is not a tax in the strict, technical sense, obviously. But in practise it functions much as one.

The comment you're responding to tells you why it shouldn't be banned: because then it will be held by criminals (by definition) instead. And those criminals tend to have ties to less nice forms of crime too. So it's sort of a damage containment strategy, but it could (in the eyes of GP) be executed better.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:State lotteries transfer wealth out of needy communities,... by gernb on Tuesday July 12, 2022 @03:01AM (#32066545)
Is it really true though. Lotto ticks are sold in every small corner store, many gas station convenience stores, and most chain convenience stores, and many grocery stores. If they were illegal, most of those places would stop selling. What percentage of people that currently buy lotto tickets would seek out illegal places to get them? If it's 100% then sure, keep the legal lotto. If it's 5% though, what then?
[ Parent | on HN ]