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Communities were sometimes winners in the Numbers gambling game

May 13, 2024
The illegal game has similarities with a state lottery. For many Black residents of Detroit, it represented an opportunity.
In Detroit, Numbers men — who ran an underground gambling game — were known for funding legal Black-owned businesses and social services.
Illustration: Dylan Miettinen/Marketplace | Vintage Postcard: Yesterdays-Papers/DeviantArt

Italy launches app with incentives to get consumers to go cashless

Jan 18, 2021
In its battle against tax evasion, the government wants more Italians to change their payment method.
The Italian government is discouraging the use of cash and encouraging purchases by credit card to help it collect taxes.
Ridofranz via Getty Images

Lottery decision — lump sum or 30 years of payouts?

Oct 23, 2018
The recent tax cuts would save a lone winner more than $23 million.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Lottery decision — lump sum or 30 years of payouts?

Oct 23, 2018
The recent tax cuts would save a lone winner more than $23 million.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Why lottery jackpots keep getting bigger

Oct 23, 2018
With the Mega Millions prize now above $1 billion, the odds are low – about one in 300 million.
The Mega Millions lottery has soared to more than $1 billion dollars.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Why lottery jackpots keep getting bigger

Oct 23, 2018
With the Mega Millions prize now above $1 billion, the odds are low – about one in 300 million.
The Mega Millions lottery has soared to more than $1 billion dollars.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Spanish Christmas Lottery is a cultural and economic phenomenon

Dec 19, 2017
The Spanish Christmas Lottery, one of the biggest draws in the world, has a payout of over 2 billion euros and a participation rate of 75 percent.
People line up for hours to purchase their Christmas lottery tickets in Spain. About 75 percent of adults in the country participate in the lottery draw each year. 
Zach Campbell/ for Marketplace

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With lottery wins, the bottom line depends on where you live

Aug 8, 2017
It’s that time again when lottery jackpots are big enough that even non-regulars are daydreaming about what they might do with the windfall. The Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots are both over $300 million. You know, of course that if you win, you’ll have to pay big federal income taxes. But state income taxes on […]

Illinois lottery: You're a winner! Oh. No, you're not!

Sep 14, 2015
Officials say they can't pay some winners because of a state budget impasse.

This store sold $5 million in lottery tickets last year

Apr 20, 2015
Lucky Mart barely sells anything else.