The Georgia State Lottery is a very sacred cow and any political campaign that wants to reduce or alter the lottery stands to be surely defeated. Yet the Lottery is one of the most regressive taxes ever launched.

Yes – it is not really a tax, since it is voluntary. But the effect is the same especially since the government grants it a monopoly and outlaws any competition. A casual observer will see that the lower income buy the tickets and middle and upper income reap the benefits, especially the HOPE scholarship.

Originally the Hope scholarship was only available to families with under $100,000 of income. They raised so much money that they removed that limit, making it even more regressive than it was initially.

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