Lotteries are a regressive tax. Why do progressive governors support them?

As states look to generate more revenue in an inflationary economy, along with the risk of a recession, progressive governors like J.B. Pritzker of Illinois who advocate for progressive income taxes also support one of the most regressive taxes: lotteries. This sort of “taxation” increases revenue without the stigma associated with conventional taxation, which feels to some like a penalty. Lotteries have been in the news over the past year. One Mega Millions jackpot reached $1.35 billion in January, while a Powerball jackpot crossed $2 billion last November. The big winners in these drawings a...