Americans from all backgrounds put up hard-earned money for achance to win the Powerball– especially when jackpots hit eye-popping figures – but gambling most negatively impacts low-income households, experts told USA TODAY. "There's no group that really doesn't play the lottery, but they play at different rates," said David Just, a Cornell University economics professor. Across socio-economic lines, both the rich and the poor participate inthe lotterybut lower-income groups play at higher rates than wealthier individuals – and they spend higher percentages of their income on lottery games, research shows. Federal sales data indicates the lottery is most popular in the Northeast, including in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The lottery also sees higher rates of play during times of economic turmoil, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, fitting other known gambling trends that correlate financial blows to increased risk taking. But that all changes, however, as the jackpot grows and the lottery turns into a social event. Such is the case with the current$1.8 billion jackpot, the second-largest in U.S. history. As the grand prize has climbed, so too has the number of participants forking over $2 per ticket for a chance to win the life-altering jackpot. For the Sept. 3 drawing, there were 162 million Powerball tickets sold nationwide, a 189% increase in sales compared to the previous week's drawing, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. "At the billion-dollar mark, the lottery starts to bring everyone in – the convenience store worker, the teacher, the doctor, the lawyer, the internet billionaire," said Victor Matheson, an economics professor at College of the Holy Cross who has studied the lottery and other forms of gambling for decades. More:Want to win that huge Powerball jackpot? Here's updates on everything to know. In 2023, Americans spent over $103 million on the lottery nationwide, including the Powerball, according to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. The states in which people spent the most money on the lottery have the largest populations ‒ New York, California, Texas, Florida. But when lottery sales are calculated per capita, Massachusetts leads the pack, with the average adult spending nearly $900 a year on lottery games. "The average spendings on the lottery is astounding, especially in Massachusetts," said Just. "It sort of makes your jaw drop when you first see it." Experts said more research needs to be done to determine exactly why northeastern states see such high rates of lottery engagement, but possible factors include higher levels of disposable income and more urban settings that make it easier to purchase lottery games in person, Matheson said. Just and Matheson both pointed to the statistic that the average adult spends about $400 a year on lottery games. While the spending is fairly even across socio-economic lines, it has a disproportionate impact on low-income families that could otherwise use those funds for necessities or to build savings. "That's pretty significant when you're talking about households in the bottom fifth of incomes, making about $40,000 per year," Matheson said. State lotteries have also faced fierce criticism for selling more to low-income communities and transferring wealth out of those areas to more affluent school districts through scholarships and other lottery-funded programs. A2022 study by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalismfound that stores selling lottery tickets are disproportionately clustered in lower-income communities, and that people who patronize those retailers live in the same areas. State-sanctioned reports and studies have found that scratch-offs are the highest-earning lottery games, and a small segment of habitual players account for most of the spending. These players were disproportionately Black, Hispanic, lower-income and non-high school graduates, the Howard Center found in its analysis of other reports and statewide studies. Matheson referenced these findings and said scratch-offs are "disproportionally purchased by the poor." But, he added, as prizes reach into the multi-million and billion dollar range, participation from high-income households begins to climb. Research suggests that habitual lottery players – especially those with low incomes – see the gamble as an investment rather than a form of entertainment. "It's something that provides hope for those who are desperate," Just said. "It may be a false hope, but it's what they have." This view can be exacerbated by hard times. Just said research has found correlations between economic downturns and increased participation in the lottery. He pointed to the height of the pandemic, when multiple states saw major increases in the amount of money people were spending on the lottery. South Carolina, for example,saw a $300 million or almost 19% surge in lottery saleswhen compared with 2019. It depends. Will it be a lighthearted purchase so you can be a part of a national event, or is it a desperate attempt to recoup lost money? Will buying a lottery ticket eat up a noticeable portion of your income? Do you have an emergency fund? Experts say these questions are essential in determining whether you have a healthy view of the lottery. The lottery, including the Powerball, should be seen as an entertainment product – not an investment, experts say. That's because your estimated chances of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 292 million. It can alsoworsen your mental health, especially if you're spending money you can't afford to lose. "$2 is a low price to pay to dream about being a billionaire – that's true," said Matheson. "But as an investment, it's terrible." If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER, operated by theNational Council on Problem Gambling. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Huge Powerball jackpots attract 'everyone.' Is it worth the risk?
