I was not happy when the District of Columbia instituted its lottery about 1980. I already knew people who played the numbers, one at least who thought about what objects in her dreams meant for that. The lottery seemed to me a regressive tax, falling mostly on those who can spare the money least.

About that time, some journal reported that a certain state lottery offered worse odds than the old-time illegal numbers. Whether that is so, I don't know.

The good news for legislators is that people pay that regressive tax willingly. They will beef if you put up the taxes on property or gasoline, but not about lottery tickets.

They're also an incredibly popular tax. Try comparing them with a proper, progressive income tax.

a hidden tax on the direly desperate hope and addictions of people.