North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries

The North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) represents forty-six lottery organizations throughout North America. The organization works to inform the public about the benefits of lotteries. In the following viewpoint, the NASPL answers several frequently asked questions about lotteries. The NASPL disputes common claims that lotteries are played mostly by poor or uneducated people. The organization also denies that lottery advertising is misleading or directed at lower-income groups. Lotteries have raised billions of dollars for state and provincial governments, the authors point out, much of which has been used to fund education, health care, and other worthy causes.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. On average, what proportion of state and provincial budgets do lottery revenues account for, according to the authors?
2. What is the...