By CGTN’s Karina Huber
The lottery industry in the United States is huge, bringing in roughly 80 billion US dollars annually. But the number of Americans buying tickets, particularly millennials, is on the decline, which could have negative consequences for many, since many states fund education and other projects through the money they get from individual state lotteries and multi-state lotteries.
A customer picks up her California Powerball lottery tickets at the famous Bluebird Liquor store which is considered to be a lucky retailer of tickets, in Hawthorne, California on January 13, 2016. /CFP Photo
Ticket sales boom along with dreams of winning big. But overall the number of Americans playing the lottery is on the decline.
According to a Gallup poll, nearly 50 percent of Americans bought a lottery ticket last year. That's seven percent lower than in 1999. The drop is most acute among younger generations. A third of 18-29 year old played state lotteries last year. In 2003, it was 40 percent.
Declined rate of 18-29 years old bought a lottery ticket. /Gallup poll
"The challenge for lotteries and other gaming entities is to keep players interested given that they've got all sorts of other opportunities to spend their entertainment dollar whether it is out of home or online entertainment," Rose Hudson, the president of a provincial lotteries association, spoke of industrial concern.
Other experts say they want instant gratification and more interaction so would rather make bets online. But many states currently ban the sale of lottery tickets online and forbid payment with credit cards to deter compulsive gambling.
The downward trend is worrisome for many US states. Lotteries provide more than 20 billion US dollars annually to fund all kinds of state programs.
People line up to buy California Powerball lottery tickets at the famous Bluebird Liquor store, considered to be a lucky retailer of tickets, in Hawthorne, California on January 13, 2016. /CFP Photo
"In Louisiana, that's 35 percent to K-12 education. In other states, it's the environment, the elderly, veterans. So just imagine if those states had to do without that money. The impact is huge," Hudson said.
In a bid to attract more players, the lottery association is adapting to younger tastes - offering those who don't win the jackpot a chance to win a trip or VIP tickets to a concert. They also hope under US President Donald Trump, more states will be allowed to sell lottery tickets online.
