If you’re a fan of gambling, there are many choices in the marketplace, from casinos and sports betting to horse racing and financial markets. But if you’re looking for a chance to win a huge prize with just a tiny investment, lottery is the way to go. In fact, lotteries account for a small but steady share of the overall budget in most states. That raises the question: Should governments promote this vice, given its risks to health and economic success?

There’s a lot to think about here, and some experts argue that lotteries are not only harmful, but also regressive. But others say the lottery is a legitimate form of taxation and shouldn’t be banned. And there’s no denying that it’s a popular pastime for millions of people around the world, including some who play it on a regular basis.

While some experts have warned of the dangers of addiction, it’s not hard to find stories of devoted lottery players who take the game seriously and spend a significant percentage of their income on tickets. These folks, who are often middle class and working families, have clear-eyed attitudes about the odds — the ones you see posted on Powerball’s website, for example, tell you that your chances of winning are about 1 in 292 million.

The truth is that your age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, education, career, or current economic status doesn’t matter in the lottery. And this is one of the big reasons so many people love it.