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The Joy of Lottery Play: Evidence from a Field Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Martijn (M.J.) Burger

    (Erasmus School of Economics)

  • Martijn Hendriks

    (Erasmus School of Economics)

  • Emma Pleeging

    (Erasmus School of Economics)

  • Jan (J.C.) van Ours

    (Erasmus School of Economics)

Abstract

We conducted a field experiment to increase our understanding of lottery participation. Using representative data for the Netherlands, we find that lottery participation increased the happiness of participants before the draw. Winning a small prize had no effect on happiness. Our results indicate that people may not only care about the outcomes of the lottery, but also enjoy the game. Accordingly, we conclude that lottery play has a utility value in itself and part of the lottery ticket is consumed before the draw.

Suggested Citation

  • Martijn (M.J.) Burger & Martijn Hendriks & Emma Pleeging & Jan (J.C.) van Ours, 2018. "The Joy of Lottery Play: Evidence from a Field Experiment," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 18-078/V, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20180078
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    Cited by:

    1. Can Xu & Andreas Steiner & Jakob de Haan, 2023. "Does Economic Policy Uncertainty Encourage Gambling? Evidence from the Chinese Welfare Lottery Market," CESifo Working Paper Series 10241, CESifo.
    2. Ruut Veenhoven & Felicia Chiperi & Xin Kang & Martijn Burger, 2021. "Happiness and Consumption: A Research Synthesis Using an Online Finding Archive* â€," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440209, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    lottery play; happiness; field experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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