I have always opposed state sponsored lotteries on the grounds that they undermine the work ethic, prey on those that are least educated and most desparate, and they put the state in the position of promoting an addictive and destructive behavior.  I also believe that it is common sense that gambling invites corruption whether it is illegal or state sponsored.  After reading a USA Today story about states, including my home state of Tennessee, continuing to sell scratch-off lottery tickets that are advertised as offering million dollar prizes even after the top prizes have already been awarded I am more covinced than ever that this is the case.  Lottery players could still win smaller sums, but I would guess that sales would fall off substantually if purchasers were aware that they had no chance to claim the big prizes.  Often business people are portrayed as being deceptive and corrupt, but is it not true that corruption is just as likely to present in other fields, including government bodies, as it is in business.  This is the second time in the last year or so in Tennessee where a situation like this has occurred.  Previously it was discovered that because of a supposed computer program glitch that certain combination of numbers chosen by players had no chance of winning.  The funny thing about it is that if this were a privately run business government regulators would be investigating and looking to shut the business down and class action lawsuits would be in the works, but since it is government run it is essentially immune from lawsuits and there will likely be no one held accountable for these situations.
   One last thought: Why is it legal for the state to run gambling operations, but illegal for private citizens to do so?