The Lottery, God, and the Poor — The Connection Finally Explained by a PhD Who Studied It

Lottery expert Jonathan D. Cohen spent years digging through government archives to uncover how the lottery really works and who it actually serves. This conversation dives into the intersection of faith, class, and luck, revealing how the lottery became both a dream machine and a political tool.

From the rise of billion-dollar jackpots to the moral debate over whether luck is divine or designed, Cohen’s research, which is featured on multiple national outlets including The Daily Show exposes how lawmakers, religion, and race shaped the lottery we know today

The lottery laid the groundwork for America’s modern sports-betting boom, turning small wagers into mainstream entertainment. But as gambling spreads to every screen, scandals like the NBA’s have raised deeper questions about integrity and control.

👉 If you’ve ever wondered whether the lottery is divine destiny or economic design, this episode answers that question.

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🌐 Learn more about Jonathan D. Cohen and his work:
https://www.jonathandcohen.com/

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🕒 Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:53 How much Americans spend on lottery tickets every year
3:00 Data on which Americans spend the most on lottery
3:59 Lottery winners — Divine intervention or luck?
5:35 “The myth of the miserable lottery winner” (they don’t go broke)
6:59 Lottery winner sued by man claiming he prayed for her win
8:51 “Catholics love gambling”
9:23 How the black community shaped the lottery with their own game
11:57 Most lottery winners in the past were white (here’s why)
13:43 Is lottery money going toward their intended social services
15:45 The future of the lottery
16:49 Analysis: Mega Millions price change from $2 to $5 a ticket
18:20 Will Powerball increase prices?
19:19 Jackpot fatigue??? — There is such a thing!
19:58 Why do jackpots grow so slowly? Where’s the money going?
22:12 Is the lottery bad for America?
27:23 Poor lottery players: addiction vs shot at upward mobility
29:21 Are poor communities targeted by the lottery?
30:36 What fascinates me about the lottery… LOL
30:30 The lottery paved the way for sports betting
36:58 What demographic gambles in sports the most
37:56 How did sports gambling spread across the country like wildfire
39:15 Is the biggest loser Las Vegas amid widespread sports gambling
39:51 Why the lottery is less addictive than sports gambling
41:26 NBA gambling scandal and integrity in jeopardy
44:51 Nightmare gambling scenario will go undetected
52:50 If sports betting companies had a magic wand
55:03 The reason Jon is such an expert in the lottery space
1:00:26 Jon’s lottery tips: quick pick vs personal numbers
1:01:15 Jon’s opinion on whether he thinks winners are lucky or divinely assisted

#Lottery #MegaMillions #TheBWReport