DALLAS, Tx. — The Dallas chapter of the NAACP wants to stop seeing low income Texans pumping money into the state lottery by putting it out of business.
In poorer communities, though, the lottery seems to offer the chance at a life otherwise out of reach.
A study paid for by the Texas Lottery Commission says the people most likely to play Pick 3 are those making $20,000 a year or less — below the poverty line. And people who are unemployed are more likely to buy scratch-off tickets than those who have jobs or retirees, the study found.
David Anderson collects disability but still spends a few dollars a week testing his luck. "It's up to me, spend this five dollars or should I go buy a loaf of bread and hamburger to feed the kids,' he said.
But why stop something that's raking in the money? So far in 2012 Texans have spent more than $3.3 billion in lottery tickets.
"They have this delusion that they're going to win," said chapter president Dr. Juanita Wallace. "I want them to shut it down," she said. "Our people are spending their little money, their life savings away in hopes of winning." The group voted recently to urge state officials to do away with the lottery.
Just compare the North Dallas Lottery District to the South Dallas Lottery District, where there are a greater percentage of minorities and low income homes.
Not only are people in south Dallas more likely to play the lottery, they spend almost three times as much when they do.
Occasional player, Paul Meupe, says he knows the odds are slim. "I bet if I buy a scratch off right now, I won't win," said Paul Meupe.
He was right; he didn't.
Anderson, though, said it's more than just a ticket people are buying, it's hope.
"The hope that they're gonna hit and have nothing else to worry about," he said.
"They have this delusion that they're going to win," said chapter president Dr. Juanita Wallace
Is that whats wrong with me?? I frequent a lottery forum full of delusional people??? Oh boy...
It's a very special privilege belonging to a group of nut jobs. They say nuts are very good for you, so if you can't beatim', just join em'
I believe what people choose to do with their money it's their business. Why cause everyone else to lose out on playing because of a few people who have chosen to spend their hard earn money on the lottery and not by bread for their families. Verses shutting down the lottery, how about teaching them to play responsibly and how to budget their funds. Everybody knows that you don't spend your rent money on the lottery. This makes more sense to verses shutting down the game as a whole. Nobody is putting a gun up to their heads to play or telling them to send their rent money. As long as the lottery exist, hope will continue to live on to be a millionaire.
As for the NAACP they need to find something else to whine about like; equality within the job market and stay out of the lottery business.
They may have a valid beef but again you can't legislate morality. If they didn't spend it on the lottery, they would be spending it on something else. If I had kids though, I'm sorry the loaf of bread and hamburger meat would have to come first.
If they really wanted to help them..show them how to play and win.
Did i just read recently that some church group also wants to stop TX lottery ?
are they working together ?
they should get a life !
Oh, that is their life, interfering in other's lives.
As long as it's not the Texas Lottery showing em' how to win!
The Dallas chapter of the NAACP wants to stop seeing low income Texans pumping money into the state lottery by putting it out of business.
This sentenced should have been halved.First of all the old cliche' about "wanting" comes to mind.."you can sh*t in one hand and want in the other and see which one you get first..."
Outside of that,if the NAACP is so concerned,why don't they address 'their' folks on the ills of gambling??????????
When will personal responsibilty ever be comon sense?...If you have 2 bucks and you can get a needed loaf of bread or a scratchoff and you chose a scratchoff than its your peril.It's nobodys fault because you can't get a grip on your gambling.
all I can say is RP 2012
I imagine the NAACP will want all cigarette, cigars, and alcohol sales to cease. And while you're at outlawing entertainment outlets some people enjoy, why not outlaw movie theaters, professional sports, and first class anything because all of those either fill kids heads with delusional dreams (pro sports career) or takes money that could be spent on food andhouseholds necessities. And since not everyone can afford to travel in first class, don't offerout to those who can since it makes coach passengers feel like second class citizens.
Newsflash NAACP! Sometimes the dream of winning is better than actually winning.
Signed,
One American black man who does not support the NAACP or CBC
MR 2012 (but wishing it would have been HC 2012)
sore losers.
Excellent points OldSchoolPa!!!
Yes the NAACP should organize a group of computer whizzes ( we have quite a few right here) who give tips to poor people on what to play and when...
(all those super computers going to waste chasing clouds...*sigh*)
besides...if they spend money on scratchoffs instead of food then its their problem...let them kill a squirrel or something to feed the family...
but if these people are really in danger of starving to death...than we really need to get pumpi working on how to make an edible scratch ticket!!!
You were reading my mind Boner, and beat me to the punch!!!
If they could target just the low income areas, the NAACP could provide a healthy, nutritious and tasty recipe to the Texas Lottery for all the
losing scratch tickets. (Which is basically all of them right?
). What a win-win solution. 
Might even catch on for all the regular Fat-Cat
players as well.
They will eventually get the government involved...
Good points Oldschool
Nothing more Racist or irrelevant than the NAACP!