The popularity of traditional lotteries is waning across America. Hence many states are resorting to higher-priced instant games to lure new players and raise revenue. Scratch-off tickets now account for more than 75 percent of lottery sales in Texas, which became the first state to introduce a $50 scratch-off game earlier this year.

The Houston Chronicle reports that “but critics in Texas and elsewhere say that games promising this type of instant gratification are more likely to contribute to the kind of problem gambling usually associated with fast-paced casino betting, and they are now trying to limit them. They say the games take particular advantage of the most vulnerable members of society, including the poor and members of minority groups.”

According to a University of North Texas survey commissioned by state lottery officials, the average black player spent $70 a month on the lottery, compared with $47 for Hispanics and $20 for whites.

The $50 Texas game offers thousands of instant prizes ranging from $50 to $50,000, with a few prizes as high as $5 million.

To read the entire article from the Houston Chronicle, link here:

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Comments (0)

Comment	smaller | bigger
Name
Write the displayed characters
Subscribe via email (Registered users only) I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.
	Add Comment