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Explore our coverage of government and politics.

Jackpot Dreams: Playing The Lottery

Toby Talbot
/
AP
A sign shows the estimated jackpot for the Powerball drawing, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, in Montpelier, Vt.

When you buy a scratch-off ticket with your tank of gasoline or weekly groceries, are you thinking about contributing to the state’s education fund, or just about the possibility of winning? Last year, all the profits from the Vermont State Lottery sent $22 million dollars into the state’s education fund. But that’s still only 2% of the state’s education budget.

We talk to Greg Smith, Executive Director of the Vermont Lottery about how the money comes in, and where it goes. We also hear from Mike Wilson, UVM Mathematics Professor about what your chances actually are of winning.

Also on the program, Middlebury College Political Science Professor Bert Johnson assesses Vermont's political terrain after the primary ballots are set. He discusses the struggle the Republican party has had to field a slate of candidates for state-wide office and the effect our tendency to return incumbents to office has on democracy.

It should be noted that some people do develop gambling addiction problems with lottery games. Below is the Vermont Problem Gambling help line for those affected by this addiction as well as the web site of the Vermont Problem Gambling Counsel.
      
1-800-522-4700 Help Line
www.vtlottery.com/vcpg/

Broadcast live on Wednesday, June 25 at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Jane Lindholm is the host, executive producer and creator of But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids. In addition to her work on our international kids show, she produces special projects for Vermont Public. Until March 2021, she was host and editor of the award-winning Vermont Public program Vermont Edition.
Sage Van Wing was a Vermont Edition producer.
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