Opposing the Lottery in the United States: Forces behind Individual Attitudes towards Legalisation in 1975

Andrew Economopoulos

International Gambling Studies, 2006, vol. 6, issue 2, 267-291

Abstract: In the 1970s, opposition to the lottery started to fracture in the USA. This study examines causes of the fracture and historical factors that contributed to changes in individual attitudes towards legalisation. The opponents at the time held to traditional arguments against legalised lotteries—negative economic effects, costs to others and increased crime. Unlike the past, however, there was weak religious institutional opposition to lotteries. Individuals with a strong commitment to their religious affiliation were more resistant to pro-lottery arguments, but in most cases could be convinced to support the lottery. The pre-World War II generation remained steadfast against the lottery, but there was relatively greater support among the post-World War II generation. This study has examined the 1975 survey data using a logit model to predict future legalisation in states with large population samples. As expected, analysis of 1975 attitudes shows that states with low levels of opposition are likely to legalise lotteries earlier than states with high levels of opposition.

Date: 2006
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DOI: 10.1080/14459790600928900

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