re: Can anyone give me a legitimate reason why Alabama doesn't have a lottery?

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But couldn't ciggerettes also be considered a tax on the poor?

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Totally different type vices, IMO. Lotto tends more towards the crack rock side of the street. It, like rock, hits poor people more because they just don't have enough money to support the quantities they want to consume. That, and there is far less incentive for people who can afford a shite ton of lottery tickets to actually go out and buy them... they already have the money.

A lottery is just a way to tax the poor. I don't get why people basically add $20 to their bill every time they go to a gas station.

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A lottery is just a way to tax the poor.

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Everyone should pay taxes.

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Right but it's still a tax that a lot of poor people pay. Therefore a tax on the poor.

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Yeah and a tax is an irrecoverable loss on both sides. The less you tax, more people can afford. If they raised taxes on cigs, people would smoke less, and vice versa. Having a low tax might mean slightly less revenue, but they make it up marginally by more product being sold and therefor taxable. Laffer Curve, bro.

These arguments are all well and good. But it's still voluntary. If you don't want to pay the tax don't gamble. I don't get how the government can have this sentiment about other vices but not gambling.

It's all "moral". They try and claim that the ABC taxes are so high, and the laws are so strict because of health problems, but won't even talk about increasing tobacco taxes. The same with gambling. They say it's b/c it preys on the poor, but it's really b/c their pastors tell them it's bad.

Only stupid people play the lottery, so it would fit perfectly in Alabama

The most common practical argument against it is that it can be considered a tax on the poor for the middle class. In theory, poor people are more likely to buy tickets and the middle class people are the ones most likely to profit off any educational revenue (like in Georgia)


IMO, that theory is complete bullshite.

I really wish I didn't have to go to MS to play blackjack.

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IMO, that theory is complete bullshite

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Gambling, at it's base is an addiction and a state lottery is a hell of a boost. It would, in theory, tax every class the same if every class bought equal amounts. But poor to lower middle class are far more likely to become addicted and start pumping every free dollar they have into scratchers until they have none left. I mean hey, it's legal, probably gets them high in a way, and they can drive right after they score their fix.

And the poor to lower middle class has the most to gain so they play it more. Plain and simple. And believe me, they can always come up with another coupla bucks.