Lottery Gambling and Compulsive Consumption

Various studies have shown that lottery gambling disproportionately impacts minority groups. These studies also reveal that the relationship between lottery play and income levels is not linear.

A study conducted by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism found that lottery retailers were disproportionately located in lower-income neighborhoods. In contrast, whites and Hispanics were not significantly different from each other in the amount of lottery play they participated in.

In addition, a 1970s study suggested that ‘the poor’ participate in lottery games at disproportionately low levels. In response, many state governments became dependent on lottery revenues. However, critics of the lottery argue that the industry is regressive, preying on minorities. Other issues include the alleged regressive impact of lotteries on lower-income groups, and problems with public policy.

Other studies have cited the need for a better understanding of the irrational thinking patterns involved in lottery gambling. The need to gamble in order to find the elusive sensation of ‘winning’ may be a manifestation of a strong desire for fantasy and sensation-seeking.

In addition, heavy lottery players were found to have characteristics of compulsive consumption. These characteristics include higher risk-taking propensity, impulsivity, browser-bargain seeking, and energy.

In comparison, light lottery players were found to have a lower risk-taking propensity, and were less likely to be impulsive and browser-bargain seeking. The mean response to the energetic-exciting life dimension was slightly higher for the Possibly Compulsive group, which tended to engage in other forms of gambling more than lottery players.