History of Lotteries in the Western World
The Lottery is a much beloved game throughout the world. Their main purpose still remains to generate more public revenue through the sale of tickets. This money is used by local governments for both infrastructure, repairs, and local funding for things like schools, police, fire, and other public amenities. While lots of people might play the lottery, not many people know where the idea and game came from. Today we will be examining the lottery and it's expansion through the Western World.
To find out more history about the early years of the lottery, please take a look at my past article on the history of the lotto.
In the late 16th century, the English first began to offer public lotteries. The first lottery on record was under Queen Elizabeth in 1566; but was not actually drawn until 1569. That's right, a 3 year long lotto drawing. The purpose of this lottery was to generate funds for the "reparation of the heavens and strength of the Realme." But really it was for public funds. The thing about this lotto that makes it unique is that everyone who held a ticket won a prize. In fact, the amount of prizes given out was equal to the money taken in through ticket sales. This is because this lotto was actually considered a loan, and the government paid back their subjects for all the money they paid into ticket sales.
After this lottery, the English government decided to sell the rights to sell lottery tickets to third party brokers. These brokers hired agents and runners who would sell the tickets to the general public. Government lotteries were run all the way until 1826 in England, until the government held the "final lottery." Although many private lotteries were still held, even one that generated revenue for the building of Jamestown in America.
After the first English lottery approved by King James I in the year 1612, the Virginia Company was able to raise money, build infrastructure, and found the original settlement in the colonies. Throughout our early history, lotteries were very popular in America. In fact, lotteries played a significant role in financing and building the original colonial settlements. In the over 200 lotteries permitted between 1744 and the American Revolution played a big role in financing roads, libraries, colleges, bridges, churches, and much more. Believe it or not, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University were all started as a result of lottery funds. Lottery tickets were even used to fund the American Revolution and the French and Indian Wars. There are still lottery tickets around today that have George Washington's signature on them, they are worth upwards of $15,000!
While these early lotteries generated a lot of public funds, during the later 1800s, lotteries became known for corruption. The Louisiana State Lottery is notorious for being one of the worst. It was dubbed "The Golden Octopus" as it's greedy tentacles reached into nearly every home in the state. Legislators were bribed, corruption was rampant, and other states began to see the lottery as a means of corruption and legalized gambling. In 1890, President Harrison delivered a message to congress, which stated that sever action should be taken against lotteries. By the year 1900, lotteries were outlawed in the US.
Next article I will be focusing on the spread of the modern day lotteries around the world. Also, check out my tips on how to pick winning lottery numbers.
To find out more history about the early years of the lottery, please take a look at my past article on the history of the lotto.
In the late 16th century, the English first began to offer public lotteries. The first lottery on record was under Queen Elizabeth in 1566; but was not actually drawn until 1569. That's right, a 3 year long lotto drawing. The purpose of this lottery was to generate funds for the "reparation of the heavens and strength of the Realme." But really it was for public funds. The thing about this lotto that makes it unique is that everyone who held a ticket won a prize. In fact, the amount of prizes given out was equal to the money taken in through ticket sales. This is because this lotto was actually considered a loan, and the government paid back their subjects for all the money they paid into ticket sales.
After this lottery, the English government decided to sell the rights to sell lottery tickets to third party brokers. These brokers hired agents and runners who would sell the tickets to the general public. Government lotteries were run all the way until 1826 in England, until the government held the "final lottery." Although many private lotteries were still held, even one that generated revenue for the building of Jamestown in America.
After the first English lottery approved by King James I in the year 1612, the Virginia Company was able to raise money, build infrastructure, and found the original settlement in the colonies. Throughout our early history, lotteries were very popular in America. In fact, lotteries played a significant role in financing and building the original colonial settlements. In the over 200 lotteries permitted between 1744 and the American Revolution played a big role in financing roads, libraries, colleges, bridges, churches, and much more. Believe it or not, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University were all started as a result of lottery funds. Lottery tickets were even used to fund the American Revolution and the French and Indian Wars. There are still lottery tickets around today that have George Washington's signature on them, they are worth upwards of $15,000!
While these early lotteries generated a lot of public funds, during the later 1800s, lotteries became known for corruption. The Louisiana State Lottery is notorious for being one of the worst. It was dubbed "The Golden Octopus" as it's greedy tentacles reached into nearly every home in the state. Legislators were bribed, corruption was rampant, and other states began to see the lottery as a means of corruption and legalized gambling. In 1890, President Harrison delivered a message to congress, which stated that sever action should be taken against lotteries. By the year 1900, lotteries were outlawed in the US.
Next article I will be focusing on the spread of the modern day lotteries around the world. Also, check out my tips on how to pick winning lottery numbers.
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