[mcv]

While having organized crime run lotteries is certainly bad, some of the examples of predatory advertising mentioned in the article are absolutely despicable and unworthy of a government.

If the government runs lotteries, it should only if they have ascertained that a total ban would send lottery players into the arms of organized crime, and government should only run those lotteries with the health of these addicts in mind, and not with any kind of profit motive.

Advertising should be of the form: "If you absolutely have to play a lottery, here's how to do it, but be aware that you will lose money and very likely not win anything", and certainly not of the form: "This could be your ticket out of this mess!"

[titfn]

completely agree