Social Explanations of Lottery Play: New Evidence Based on National Survey Data

Abstract

This study examines the social contexts of gambling and analyzes social motivations for playing the lottery. We test three sociological approaches simultaneously: network effects, consumption theory, and strain theory. The data used (SOEP-IS, N = 5868 individuals) has several advantages beyond being a large-scale representative sample of the German population. With information on households, we can analyze social network effects while avoiding the problems of egocentric network data. Another benefit of the SOEP-IS is the panel structure. We use the panel structure to improve measurements of strain theory by using the decline in income over time as a measure for it. Our results suggest that the three theories explain different aspects of lottery play. Networks seem to have an influence on lottery play. Having another person in the household playing the lottery is positively associated with both the probability of playing (regularly) and expenditures on lottery tickets. Daydreams and the belief in good luck are positively associated with lottery play as well. Strain theory is confirmed insofar as we find that a decline in income is significantly related to expenditures but not to the probability of playing the lottery. Overall, this study suggests that people play the lottery depending on their social surroundings, their desire to participate in a world normally out of their reach, and the tensions they feel from the distance between their aspirations and their actual social position.

Gambling activity in the old-age general population

“…In Spain, there are many different forms of lotteries, and this is a highly prevalent activity among the general population (Dirección-General-Ordenación-Juego, 2017). Its simplicity, wide publicity and general social acceptability can contribute towards reinforcing the image of lotteries as a safe activity among elderly people, who may even believe that this game is an easy way to achieve a better economic position (Lutter et al ., 2018). These particular conceptions, associated with the lifestyle of many elderly people (availability of time and financial resources – Social Security income or pensions) can contribute towards intensifying the gambling frequency and therefore their vulnerability.…”

Phenotype of Gambling Disorder Patients with Lotteries as a Preferred Form of Gambling

“…Based on these evidences, it has been suggested that motivations for lottery gambling include the perception of this game as an escape way to social difficulties and/or as a means to reach the individuals' social expectations (Beckert & Lutter, 2013). It is also considered that lottery ticket contributes to wide social acceptance (Lutter et al, 2018). Lottery tickets are also largely popular in many countries due to the simplicity of this game, its wide publicity, easy accessibility, low cost, and even the misunderstanding of the basic rules of probability among the general population (Griffiths, 2002;Griffiths & Wood, 2001).…”