In a small village on June 27, the locals gather for their annual lottery. As the children gather stones to throw at their chosen victim, Old Man Warner cites an old proverb: “Lottery in June, corn will be heavy soon.”
Lotteries are one of the most common forms of gambling in the United States. Americans spend over $80 billion on tickets every year – and the odds of winning are really slim. Even those who do win can find themselves in trouble if they aren’t careful about spending their money wisely. The best way to avoid the trap of lottery is to never buy a ticket in the first place!
The word lottery is thought to be derived from the Latin verb lotere (“to distribute by lot”), but it may also be a calque on Middle Dutch lotterie, and early lotteries used words such as “bet” or “play.” Lotteries are common in many countries, and their history dates back to ancient times. Ancient Israel distributed land by lot, and the Roman emperors often gave away property or slaves by lottery.
Lotteries are still popular today; they’re an easy and convenient way to raise money. But how much does that revenue mean for state budgets, and is it worth the cost? It’s important to consider all the costs of lottery before buying your next ticket!