The Rise of State Lotteries: A $100 Billion Obsession – A Podcast Discussion with Ian Coss

The Rise of State Lotteries: How Massachusetts Beat the Mob and Created a $100 Billion Obsession

In a new GBH News podcast titled Scratch And Win, host Ian Coss explores the fascinating history of state lotteries in America, focusing on how Massachusetts state bureaucrats set out to beat the mob at its own game and ended up creating a $100 billion obsession.

The podcast opens with Coss visiting a convenience store near Boston and talking to a lottery player who is eagerly trying his luck with a $50 scratch ticket. The man, who is 75 years old and has no money in retirement, candidly shares his hopes of winning big and retiring, despite already spending a significant amount on lottery tickets.

Coss delves into the history of the Massachusetts lottery, which was one of the first states to introduce an instant ticket, or scratch ticket, as a way to boost sales. This innovation proved to be a game-changer and set the tone for state lotteries across the country.

One of the key motivations behind the creation of state lotteries was to put the mob out of business, as organized crime had previously dominated the gambling industry. By legalizing and regulating gambling through state lotteries, the government aimed to generate revenue and control the industry.

Coss also discusses how state lotteries played a crucial role in normalizing gambling and paving the way for the widespread legalization of casinos, online poker, and sports betting. The cultural shift towards accepting and even embracing gambling can be traced back to the introduction of state lotteries, which brought gambling out of the shadows and into the mainstream.

Overall, Scratch And Win offers a compelling look at the history and impact of state lotteries in America, shedding light on how a simple game of chance evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry that continues to captivate millions of Americans.