ABOUT THIS SERIES
The series explores how Mainers falling on hard times rely on the lottery to rescue them. A first-ever statistical analysis of Maine lottery sales and census data by Cornell University, commissioned by our newsroom, showed lottery ticket sales rise when people lose their jobs. The state government spent millions to sway Mainers to buy more lottery tickets, our investigation found.
Follow Us
A first-ever statistical analysis of Maine Lottery ticket sales figures and census data shows sales go up when people lose their jobs.
Latest Articles
State releases preliminary findings in lottery review
Lawmakers from both parties question preliminary findings that show no evidence the state specifically targeted particular segments of the population in its marketing.
Legislators to scrutinize lottery oversight, ad tactics
Committee wants to know if particular groups are specifically targeted by advertising, and who has oversight of that.
LePage: Lottery targets poor looking for ‘silver bullet’
Gov. Paul LePage said he believes the Maine State Lottery “absolutely” targets the poor and that if legislators passed a bill to end the lottery, he would sign it immediately.
Maine lawmakers fast-track lottery investigation
Panel members are keen to learn if the lottery's advertising strategy specifically targets Maine's poor.
Lawmakers, LePage: Welfare recipients shouldn’t spend benefits on lottery tickets
Lawmakers from both parties seek to pass legislation implementing ban on people on public assistance buying lottery tickets with taxpayer-funded benefits.
STAY INFORMED
Our newsletters will keep you informed via email for free!
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Please consider donating so our reporters can continue telling stories like these.
KNOW OF A STORY?
Many of our stories have been based off a reader’s suggestion.