Lotteries discourage the work ethic
There is a psychological, intangible cost to gambling: it puts the gambler’s attention on something that is random and out of his control. As such, the gambler's attention, hopes and aspirations is focused upon near-impossibility. We always hear it said that our potential and intelligence are our most valuable resources. Lotteries do the opposite; they drain our potential by putting our attention and desires on something that does not respect the cause and effect of applying our intelligence and potential towards actions that achieve legitimate and reasonable goals. Instead, lottery gambling panders to the unknown and chance.
“Another criticism has been the use of lottery advertising themes conflicting with a state’s duty to promote the public good, such as hailing the value of luck over hard work as a means to financial success, or instant gratification and entertainment over investment and savings. Some states, such as Virginia, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, had to ban ads designed to induce people to play.” [1]
Lotteries would have us believe that it is possible to have a free lunch. Marketing of lottery gambling thus appeals to the worst in us: something for nothing.
[1] "An Arkansas lottery A bad bet for Education and Families?", Paycheck $ and politics; State Government & your Family’s Budget, Issue XV, December 2002, p.8 found at http://www.aradvocates.org/_images/pdfs/taxbrief15.pdf