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When Are State Lotteries a Good Bet?

Author

Listed:
  • Anthony C. Krautmann

    (De Paul University)

  • James E. Ciecka

    (De Paul University)

Abstract

This paper outlines the conditions under which a state-run lottery yields an expected return greater than its costs. The analysis considers the possibility of multiple winner, the fact that lottery winnings are typically paid out over a 10 to 20 year span, the taxation of lottery winnings as income, and the government's vigorish. We also derive the conditions under which it is worthwhile to buy every possible outcome of the litter, hence guaranteeing a winning ticket. We then apply our analysis to the recent $106.5 million Florida Lottery and the $27 million Virginia Lottery in which an Australian consortium attempted to buy the pot.

Suggested Citation

  • Anthony C. Krautmann & James E. Ciecka, 1993. "When Are State Lotteries a Good Bet?," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 19(2), pages 157-164, Spring.
    • Handle: RePEc:eej:eeconj:v:19:y:1993:i:2:p:157-164
    as

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    File URL: http://web.holycross.edu/RePEc/eej/Archive/Volume19/V19N2P157_164.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thaler, Richard H & Ziemba, William T, 1988. "Parimutuel Betting Markets: Racetracks and Lotteries," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 2(2), pages 161-174, Spring.
    2. Borg, Mary O. & Mason, Paul M., 1988. "The Budgetary Incidence of a Lottery to Support Education," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association, vol. 41(1), pages 75-85, March.
    3. Charles T. Clotfelter & Philip J. Cook, 1989. "Selling Hope: State Lotteries in America," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number clot89-1.
    4. Borg, Mary O. & Mason, Paul M., 1988. "The Budgetary Incidence of a Lottery to Support Education," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 41(1), pages 75-85, March.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Kent Grote & Victor Matheson, 2011. "The Economics of Lotteries: A Survey of the Literature," Working Papers 1109, College of the Holy Cross, Department of Economics.
    2. Kent Grote & Victor Matheson, 2011. "The Economics of Lotteries: An Annotated Bibliography," Working Papers 1110, College of the Holy Cross, Department of Economics.
    3. Frank, Sascha & Rehm, Jan, 2007. "An unnoted fair bet in german state run lotteries, a short notice," MPRA Paper 5766, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Kent R. Grote & Victor A. Matheson, 2006. "In Search of a Fair Bet in the Lottery," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 32(4), pages 673-684, Fall.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty

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