Summary of "State Lotteries are needed"

Throughout history, the state lottery is an attractive option to legislators because citizens are not compelled to contribute. Without a state lottery, legislators are compelled to impose higher taxes upon citizens to meet the financial needs. Lotteries thus provide essential funds for state programs through voluntary taxation. Take the George state for example, properly managed state-sanctioned lottery programs have helped states raise over thrity billion dollars in revenue nationally. In 1995, the state government provided 85 million in scholarships which allowed more than 100,000 high school graduates to receive post secondary education. Another public benefit derived from state lotteries is found in the jobs created by these lotteries and the programs they help fund. More than 8,000 jobs in George are directly attributable to the state lottery and its funded programs. States can also profit from lotteries because of the economic benefits of providing relief to state taxpayers. Take the Wisconsin state legislature for example, it has given its citizens close to two billion dollars in property tax relief since the state's lottery began in 1988. When effective adminstration of lottery revenue is achieved, the proceeds can accomplish a great deal of good.