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Reducing Ambiguity in Lotteries: That Knowing is Better than Wondering

Author

Listed:
  • Julian Conrads

    (University of Cologne)

  • Tommaso Reggiani

    (University of Cologne)

  • Rainer Michael Rilke

    (University of Cologne)

Abstract

Ambiguity about the chances of winning represents a key aspect in lotteries. By means of a controlled field experiment, we exogenously vary the degree of ambiguity about the winning chances of lotteries organized to incentivize the contribution for a public good. In one people have been simply informed about the maximum number of potential participants (i.e., the number of lottery tickets released). In a second treatment this information has been omitted as in all traditional lotteries. Our general finding shows that simply reducing the degree of ambiguity of the lottery leads to a sizable and significant increase (67%) in the participation rate. This result is robust to alternative prize configurations.

Suggested Citation

  • Julian Conrads & Tommaso Reggiani & Rainer Michael Rilke, 2015. "Reducing Ambiguity in Lotteries: That Knowing is Better than Wondering," Cologne Graduate School Working Paper Series 06-03, Cologne Graduate School in Management, Economics and Social Sciences.
    • Handle: RePEc:cgr:cgsser:06-03
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    ambiguity; lottery; field experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty

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