Per capita, people between forty-five and sixty-four are the age groups that spend the most on the lottery. The younger they are, the more they play, the less likely they are to win, but they are nonetheless highly susceptible to losing their quality of life. Here are a few statistics about lottery winnings:
Per capita lottery spending is highest for those aged forty-five to sixty-four years
As Ambrose Bierce once wrote, lottery spending is a “tax on bad math.” However, millions of Americans spend hard-earned money on lottery tickets with the hopes of a life of luxury, early retirement, and financial security. In 2017, Americans spent $71.8 billion on lottery tickets, averaging $285 per adult. Lottery spending is not evenly spread across states. The average amount spent per person is significantly higher in some states than in others.
While lottery spending is not evenly distributed across age groups, the percentage of forty-five to sixty-four-year-olds is the highest. Despite this disparity, more than two-thirds of U.S. adults in that age range have played the lottery. In addition, men are more likely to play the lottery than women. In fact, men spend more than twice as much as women do.
Loss of quality of life due to lottery winnings
Many studies have found no significant changes in the quality of life of people who win the lottery, and even fewer results when examining the mental health of these winners. However, lottery winners did enjoy long-term increases in overall life satisfaction, indicating that their newfound wealth did not adversely affect their mental health. One of the most striking findings of the research is the connection between large-prize winners’ financial health and the overall quality of their lives.
The authors note that they have no conflict of interest. Lottery winnings do not seem to be associated with physical health problems, but there are a few other factors to consider. For example, lottery winnings do not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, and a higher income does not improve hearing or reduce the likelihood of being overweight. This suggests that the income of lottery winners may influence their health, but that this relationship is not as strong as one might expect.
Legal minimum age to play
There is a legal minimum age to play lottery in most jurisdictions, with a few exceptions. For example, in the UK, gambling is not legal for underage players. Nevertheless, the age is usually higher for people living in some European countries. The minimum age to play lottery is generally 18 years old, in the case of France and Germany, while in Denmark, the legal age to play lottery is only 16.
In Nevada, the state constitution prohibits minors from participating in any pari-mutuel betting or lottery activity. The state’s enabling statute does not mention a minimum age for playing bingo, keno, or charitable games. In California, the minimum age to play lottery is 21. In Delaware, the legal age to play charitable games is 16 years old. The minimum age to play lottery is 18 in most jurisdictions, but it is lower for those playing in casinos.