How much money did Arizonans spend on lottery tickets in 2014?
Apr 20, 2015, 4:58 PM | Updated: 4:58 pm
PHOENIX — Play to win, win to play.
Many people who have played the lottery before can attest to how addicting it is. The rush of scratching off a ticket and the uncertainty of what lies behind the thin, silver foil are just a few of the exhilarating aspects to participating in the lottery.
Not only does the lottery provide excitement in the lives of many, it also brings in hundreds of millions of dollars to each state, according to PEW Charitable Trusts.
Arizona saw $723,950,000 in lottery sales during the 2014 fiscal year, averaging about $107.55 per person. Rhode Island, South Dakota and Massachusetts topped the charts with lottery sales, each averaging over $700 per capita.
While the state lottery brings in a respectable amount of money, many believe the game relies on addicted gamblers to stay afloat.
Les Bernal of Stop Predatory Gambling, which advocates an end to state-sponsored gambling, said only 10 percent of people make up to 80 percent of profits for state lotteries.
“They can talk all they want about how much they care about citizens, but state lotteries are the poster child for the rising unfairness and inequality in our country,” Bernal said.
