Lotteries were originally run by organized crime. Legalizing state run lotteries was essentially the cure for that.
In BC, they still are.
“B.C. disbanded RCMP unit after report warned possible crime figure bought stake in casino”
https://globalnews.ca/news/6403415/organized-crime-bc-casino...
“BC Lottery Corp. didn’t block mysterious casino cash due to ‘hundreds of millions’ in estimated losses: inquiry”
https://globalnews.ca/news/7607782/bc-lottery-corporation-my...
“Lottery corporation was aware of suspicious cash at B.C. casinos, former VP says”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ex-lottery-v...
“B.C. lottery CEO 'blown away' by organized crime threat”
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-lottery-ceo-blown-away-by-organize...
Our previous government was literally criminal. An excellent investigative journalist wrote a book about it. Well worth becoming aware of what went on.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57427971-wilful-blindnes...
For example, the old Numbers[0] games often used public, hard to influence sources.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lottery#Early_United_States_16...
>Lotteries in colonial America played a significant part in the financing of both private and public ventures. It has been recorded that more than 200 lotteries were sanctioned between 1744 and 1776, and played a major role in financing roads, libraries, churches, colleges, canals, bridges, etc.[5] In the 1740s, the foundation of Princeton and Columbia Universities was financed by lotteries, as was the University of Pennsylvania by the Academy Lottery in 1755.