In the United States, lotteries raise billions of dollars annually. Though they are often viewed as harmless pastimes, they can have negative consequences for the poor and problem gamblers. This article examines how the lottery works and why it is important to understand its true purpose before participating.
Lotteries are a way of giving away prizes and property by drawing numbers. They date back to ancient times, with the Old Testament describing Moses dividing the land of Israel by lot, and Roman emperors using lotteries as part of their Saturnalian feasts. In modern times, state governments run their own lotteries with the goal of generating revenues for various programs. Despite their popularity, critics argue that lotteries do not address the root causes of poverty and inequality.
The main character in Jackson’s story is a mute named Tessie, who has been selected as the winner of this year’s lottery. The lottery is organized by Mr. Summers, a man without children. He holds a black box that he has brought from a previous town; the villagers revere this box and tell stories about its origins, including that it is comprised of pieces of an even older box.
After the narrator explains the rules, the people begin to gather. Those in the know are careful to mark their tickets with the same number, while others write down a variety of different numbers on a playslip. As they do so, they are mindful of the admonition to keep their selections secret. The narrator then explains that the winner is chosen when all of the ticket numbers have been drawn.
Afterward, the family members reveal their slips. The narrator observes that everyone is relieved when little Dave’s paper turns out to be blank, but that the sighs turn to cries when Nancy and Bill’s papers contain black spots. In a final act of cruelty, Mr. Summers forcefully makes Tessie reveal her slip, which is marked with a black spot.
Many states have earmarked lottery proceeds to support certain public services, such as education. However, studies have shown that the amount of money earmarked for specific programs does not significantly affect the overall budgets of those programs. The state legislature simply reduces the appropriations it would otherwise have made for those purposes from its general fund, which can then be spent on other things.
During the immediate post-World War II period, many states saw lotteries as a way to expand their social safety nets while simultaneously avoiding raising taxes on middle-class and working class citizens. This arrangement, however, began to break down in the 1970s. As a result, the popularity of lotteries has declined since then, with some arguing that this decline is because people realize that they are gambling against themselves by playing these games. The emergence of new technologies, such as the internet, has also contributed to this trend. Regardless of whether one supports the lottery, it is important to remember that this type of gambling has been around for hundreds of years and it is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.