Lottery often gives aid to affluent, takes from poor

CHELSEA — The line at Tedeschi Food Shops on Washington Avenue extended to the door on a recent Tuesday afternoon as several customers waited to try their luck with a $2 scratch ticket.

Though Chelsea is one of the poorest cities in Massachusetts, its residents are among the most enthusiastic lottery players in the state, spending an average of $1,179 per man, woman, and child on tickets last year, according to state records.

But Chelsea is one of the biggest lottery losers by one key measure: the amount of local aid the city receives from the lottery. In 2013, tickets sold in Chelsea generated $8.2 million, but the city got back only $6.9 million because of a formula that critics say favors affluent towns.

“It’s not right,” said Oscar Hernandez, 62, a regular lottery player at the Chelsea Tedeschi. “My understanding is that all the communities in the state are supposed to benefit. This is a community in great need.”

full: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/06/04/massachusetts-lottery-often-provides-aid-affluent-and-takes-from-poor/lkFzu37BSvxlDcmCITwmKI/story.html