Lotteries are a form of gambling in which players pay a small sum in exchange for a chance to win a prize. They raise money for towns, fight wars, and even fund colleges. Unlike other types of gambling, lottery prizes are not determined until the drawing takes place. For these reasons, lottery winners should take caution when participating in lottery games.
They fund wars
In order to fund the Revolutionary War, the First Continental Congress used a massive lottery to raise money. The lottery involved the Continental Currency, which was a new form of money that the 13 colonies shared. The value of the currency fluctuated dramatically, so the money raised by the lottery didn’t amount to much. However, the Congress still managed to win the war, with the help of the French.
They are addictive
Most people don’t realize that lotteries are addictive. They assume they’re harmless forms of gambling, but winning the lottery can lead to unhealthy financial consequences. Recent statistics show that one-third of US adults have bought a lottery ticket in the last year. These players tend to be high school graduates or college graduates with higher incomes. Despite these statistics, the church has been largely silent on the dangers of lottery addiction.