WHO PLAYS THE LOTTERY? FINDINGS FROM NEW JERSEY LOTTERY SALES

David Suk, Ki C Han, Sukhun Lee and Hyun Mo Sung

Journal of Gambling Business and Economics, 2015, vol. 9, issue 1, 40-57

Abstract: Despite the very unfavorable odds and low payout ratios, many people play lottery games all over the world, and the number of participants is growing. While surveys and empirical tests have been performed to characterize the demographics of lottery players, there is still no consensus on who they are. The present study aims to provide an in-depth and clearer profile of said participants. The analysis is based on New Jersey lottery sales from 2001 to 2010. Our findings indicate that the typical lottery consumer in the state of NJ would be (1) male or female with a greater participation by females, (2) in his/her 20s to late-30s, or senior citizens in their 70s, (3) a minority, (4) a high school graduate with no further educational degree, (5) from a below-average income family, (6) and a home renter instead of a home owner. As for lottery game preferences, African-Americans and Hispanics have a strong preference for both the Instant Match and Mega Millions. Lastly, it appears that the economic climate has little effect on the socio-demographic factors influencing lottery purchasing behavior.

Keywords: Gambling; Lottery gambling participants; New Jersey; Zip code; Gender (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Journal of Gambling Business and Economics is currently edited by Leighton Vaughan Williams, Nottingham Business School

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