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The national lottery is played mostly by the lowest paid of us. According to the think tank Theos, 67% of skilled manual workers play the lottery at least once a month, hence its rather cruel nickname of “the chav tax”. The proportion drops to 47% among white-collar workers and is vanishingly rare among the most affluent of us. An affection for the lottery is sometimes seen as an indicator of stupidity, as the chance of winning is so low. But US researchers suggest the appeal to people on low incomes is there is, for once, a uniquely level playing field.

Rod Liddle | Read the full article at The Times

Image available from The Times.