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Page 4 · column 5 of 7 · from the scan, no model involved
To the Editor:
The following “Fact Sheet on the Lottery” was published by the Virginians Against State-Sponsored Gambling:
Odds: The odds of winning a jackpot prize are one in 2 million, according to an article in the Washington Post. The payoffs are represented to be worth millions of dollars but are paid off in annual installments that are, in fact, worth only a fraction of the advertised value in terms of present worth.
Illegal gambling increases: The illegal numbers provide better odds, operate by telephone, offer credit and do not deduct taxes or report to taxing authorities. The state advertising teaches gambling and the Mafia numbers rackets prosper.
Victims: In states which have lotteries, 70 percent of the tickets are purchased by 17 percent of the people. In the main they are people with low incomes and on welfare, enticed by the advertising to get rich quick. Those least able to afford losing are victimized by the state to raise revenue.
Revenues are small: The proponents project $400 million in net state revenues. If that were achieved, the 17 percent who would buy the most tickets would need to gamble $3,000 to $5,000 a year.
Other costs: The proponents’ revenue figures do not consider the added costs of increased welfare payments for families without food and other necessities, and greater law enforcement costs for controlling organized crime elements and
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