[nullflux]

Also: Can we really call this a "regressive tax" like the Wired article states? There is no obligation to play the game. You are obligated to pay taxes.

Numbers games (lotteries) are run by governments now because organized crime was running them in inner cities. People still played then. See Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbers_game At least the "tax" from lottery proceeds often goes to benefit social goods like public school systems.

[msellout]

Calling state lotteries a regressive tax highlights the irony of the socioeconomic system. The non-lottery-playing cohort tends to have more political control and uses that power (unconsciously, perhaps) to structure the market to induce lottery-playing behavior among the poorer cohort.

In other words, there are varying methods of obligation.

[nullflux]

Can I get something to read on this premise? This type of "unconscious influence" stuff reeks of conspiracy theory or an irrelevant conclusion from sociological data. (Not calling you wrong, but I'm skeptical of this conclusion.)